Ceasefire Talks Resume as Dar Confronts Kabul Over Militancy

News Desk 

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that he received six calls from Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and conveyed a single, firm message: Afghan soil must not be used for militant activities against Pakistan.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Dar said, “I told the Afghan minister we only want one thing — that Afghan territory not be used against Pakistan,” adding that the situation has placed him in a difficult position.

Recalling developments since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, Dar said that Pakistani envoys had initially approached the new rulers with goodwill, saying they had come for “a cup of tea,” but early missteps had costly consequences — mistakes that must not be repeated.

He noted that official communication between Islamabad and Kabul had gone silent for nearly four years after the Taliban takeover. However, he said he later travelled to Afghanistan to resume talks and sign agreements, with his only demand being that Afghan territory not serve as a base for attacks on Pakistan.

“Violent incidents in Afghanistan have risen since the current government came in,” Dar said, reaffirming that Islamabad remains committed to fighting militancy “to the last breath.” 

He expressed hope that the next round of talks scheduled for November 6 would produce progress.

On the domestic front, Dar said counterterrorism operations conducted up to 2018 had significantly reduced militant attacks within Pakistan.

Separately, he dismissed reports that religious scholars in Punjab were being given monthly payments of Rs10,000 or Rs25,000, saying he had no knowledge of any such practice and that, if true, “it would be regrettable.”

Ceasefire Extension & Mediation Talks

Last month, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to extend a ceasefire during talks in Istanbul following the worst border clashes between the two countries in years. The meetings were mediated by Turkiye and Qatar, which both said they “stand ready to continue cooperation with both sides for lasting peace and stability.”

The clashes marked the most serious military confrontation since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, with deadly exchanges prompting Pakistani airstrikes, Afghan retaliatory fire, and the closure of key border crossings vital for trade and transit.

Turkish officials confirmed that a follow-up meeting would be held in Istanbul on November 6 to determine how the ceasefire mechanism will be implemented.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed the Istanbul talks, stating that both sides had agreed to continue dialogue in future meetings.

Cross-Border Militancy

Pakistan has faced a surge in terrorist attacks — particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to take action against militant groups using Afghan territory to launch cross-border attacks.

Despite these appeals, the Taliban regime has largely ignored Pakistan’s concerns and allegedly provided refuge to militants targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Tensions peaked on October 12, when the Taliban forces opened unprovoked fire across the border. Pakistan’s armed forces responded with force, killing more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants. However, 23 Pakistani soldiers were also martyred during the clashes.

In retaliation, Pakistani security forces carried out targeted strikes inside Afghanistan — including in Kabul — destroying several terrorist hideouts.

Hostilities eventually subsided on October 17 after Pakistan accepted Kabul’s request for a temporary ceasefire.

Following the ceasefire, delegations from both sides met in Doha for talks mediated by Qatar, which resulted in an agreement to maintain the truce.

A second round of discussions began in Istanbul on October 25 under Turkish mediation but ended inconclusively after four days. Pakistani officials described the Taliban delegation’s stance as “illogical” and “detached from ground realities.”