Taliban, Pakistan agree to meet again in Istanbul next week, says statement

Taliban and Pakistan will reconvene in Istanbul on November 6 for a principal-level meeting to finalize implementation mechanisms for a ceasefire agreement, according to a joint statement released by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the statement, the announcement follows six days of negotiations from October 25 to 30, facilitated by Türkiye and Qatar, aimed at reinforcing the ceasefire originally agreed upon during earlier talks in Doha on October 18–19.

“All parties have agreed on continuation of ceasefire,” the statement said, adding that further modalities will be discussed in next week’s meeting.

A key outcome of the Istanbul talks was a consensus to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to uphold the ceasefire and penalize any violations. While details of this mechanism remain unclear, its inclusion marks a step toward institutionalizing peace efforts between the two sides, whose relationship has been strained in recent months by border violence and mutual accusations of harboring militants.

The joint statement also praised the active participation of both sides and reaffirmed the mediators’ ongoing commitment. “As mediators, Türkiye and Qatar express their appreciation for the active contribution of both parties and stand ready to continue cooperation with both sides for lasting peace and stability,” it said.

The Istanbul negotiations come amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led administration in Kabul, fueled by recent cross-border clashes and Pakistan’s mass deportation campaign targeting undocumented Afghan nationals. Observers say the latest diplomatic engagement offers a rare opportunity to de-escalate conflict and build a framework for regional stability.

The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, characterized the Istanbul talks as a reflection of their long-standing commitment to diplomacy and dialogue.

In a statement issued after the conclusion of the talks, Mujahid said they had appointed a “comprehensive and professional team” to negotiate in good faith and expressed gratitude to Türkiye and Qatar for facilitating the discussions.

He reiterated the Taliban’s desire for “positive ties with Pakistan” based on mutual respect, non-interference, and regional stability.

“The Islamic Emirate seeks good relations with neighboring countries and does not wish to pose a threat to any side,” Mujahid stated, adding that the complex Istanbul talks had ended with an agreement to continue discussions on unresolved issues in future meetings.

A senior Taliban official has told Amu TV that the TTP and Daesh issue as well as drone strikes were among main matters that created hurdles in the talks.

The talks in Istanbul were faced an impasse at least two times over the mentioned matters, according to sources familiar with the matter.