Pakistan, Taliban teams resume Istanbul talks after counterterror plan

Talks between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations restarted in Istanbul after Islamabad submitted its reply to Kabul’s response on a counterterrorism plan, according to sources familiar with the process. Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin is mediating the second round, which began hours after Pakistan delivered its latest position.

The first phase of Istanbul discussions took place on Saturday, when Pakistan tabled a comprehensive plan aimed at stopping cross-border militancy originating from Afghan soil. Kabul’s written response landed around 2am Sunday, clearing the way for talks to reconvene. These contacts follow an initial round held in Doha on October 19.

Mediated by Qatar and Türkiye, the Doha talks led to a ceasefire understanding after intense border clashes earlier this month. Pakistan says its forces repelled multiple attacks on border posts, killing more than 200 militants while 23 soldiers were martyred. Islamabad also carried out precision strikes against alleged militant strongholds in Kandahar and Kabul.

Pakistan has kept major crossings closed, arguing public safety outweighs trade flows until durable security guarantees are in place. Officials in Islamabad continue to accuse the Taliban administration of acting as a proxy for Indian interests—an allegation Kabul denies. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that a wider confrontation could follow if diplomacy collapses, even as he reported sensing an "urge for peace" in recent exchanges.