Istanbul (The COW News Digital) Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have agreed to maintain the ongoing ceasefire, following several days of peace talks held in Istanbul under the mediation of Turkey and Qatar. The breakthrough was announced through a joint communiqué issued by Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, marking a cautious step forward in efforts to stabilize the region.
According to the statement, the discussions — held from October 25 to 30 — focused on strengthening the truce initially agreed upon in Doha on October 18–19. The talks brought together senior representatives from both Pakistan and the Taliban government to reaffirm their commitment to halting cross-border hostilities and addressing mutual security concerns.
Both sides have agreed to extend the ceasefire, with the next round of talks scheduled for November 6 in Istanbul to finalize the implementation framework and enforcement mechanisms. The communiqué further noted that a joint monitoring and verification system will be established to ensure compliance with the truce, empowering the oversight body to impose penalties on any party found in violation.
Turkey and Qatar, the mediating countries, lauded both delegations for their “constructive engagement” and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting continued dialogue for peace and stability in the region. The statement emphasized that both mediators will “sustain their diplomatic and technical assistance” to facilitate trust-building between Islamabad and Kabul.
Sources close to the talks revealed that the Pakistani delegation had initially planned to return home after little progress earlier in the week. However, Turkish officials requested the delegation to stay, urging both sides to reach tangible outcomes under Ankara’s auspices. Observers say the decision underscores Turkey’s growing diplomatic role in regional conflict mediation.
The renewed dialogue comes after months of escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban regime over cross-border militant activity. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban government of failing to curb attacks launched from Afghan territory, while Kabul has urged Pakistan to pursue political dialogue instead of military measures.
Analysts believe the current ceasefire understanding, though fragile, could serve as a foundation for broader cooperation if both sides demonstrate restraint and transparency. The upcoming Istanbul session is expected to define the rules, verification procedures, and enforcement mechanisms of the agreement — critical steps toward ensuring the truce’s durability.
For now, the continuation of talks signals a rare moment of optimism in the otherwise tense Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship, with Turkey and Qatar positioning themselves as key guarantors of regional peace.
