Pakistan seeks verifiable action before talks with Afghanistan

Pakistan has said any talks with Afghanistan cannot be unconditional and must be linked to a verifiable mechanism to stop terrorist activity against Pakistan from Afghan territory.

At the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan remained open to discussion with Afghan representatives and to constructive help from friendly countries. He said engagement would need to produce tangible progress on Islamabad’s stated security concerns.

The spokesperson said Pakistan’s central requirement was a mechanism that could verify the complete cessation of terrorist activity directed at Pakistan from across the border. He said this issue had been raised by Pakistan at different forums.

The statement followed recent discussion about possible third-party facilitation. The spokesperson said he was not aware of a separate formal Russian mediation initiative currently under consideration, while adding that Pakistan remained open to meaningful engagement.

He also referred to the Moscow Format consultations held earlier this month. According to the Foreign Office, no joint communiqué was issued after the meeting because the Afghan delegation did not accept language concerning terrorist networks that had appeared in the previous year’s document.

Pakistan says action against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and other groups it says operate from Afghan territory is necessary for progress in bilateral relations. Afghan authorities have rejected the allegation that their territory is being used as a base for attacks against Pakistan.

Previous efforts involving regional countries have sought to reduce tensions and support dialogue, but no lasting settlement has been announced. Pakistan’s latest position makes verification of action against militant groups a stated condition for any future talks.