ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Afghan media reported that mediation efforts led by Türkiye and Qatar have resulted in a preliminary agreement between Pakistan and the Taliban government to resume bilateral talks.
This comes after weeks of escalating tensions between the two sides on the common border.
Pakistani media outlets quoted informed sources as saying that the dialogue sessions are expected to resume in the coming hours.
Representatives of both parties are scheduled to sit at the negotiating table within one hour to discuss ways to calm the situation and address outstanding issues.
Foremost among these are border attacks and the issue of armed groups, which Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of turning a blind eye to.
Turkish-Qatari mediation
Sources indicated that Ankara and Doha played a pivotal role in recent days in persuading the two sides to return to dialogue.
After relations reached a state of stagnation following a series of mutual security operations on both sides of the border.
The mediation comes amid growing international concern over escalating security tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Especially with the continued attacks of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against the Pakistani army,
Some of which Islamabad says are planned from within Afghan territory.
Pakistan accuses the Taliban government
Relations between the two countries have been noticeably strained since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.
Pakistan accuses the Afghan government of failing to curb armed groups targeting its forces,
While the Taliban denies the accusations and calls for “dialogue and de-escalation.”
Observers believe that the resumption of talks may represent a new opportunity to ease border tensions.
Rebuilding trust between the two sides with the support of regional mediators.
