Pakistan, Afghan Taliban Begin Peace Talks in Doha

News Desk

Islamabad: A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif arrived in Doha on Saturday to hold crucial discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban government in a bid to defuse escalating tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The talks, hosted by the State of Qatar, come amid a fragile ceasefire after both Islamabad and Kabul agreed to extend a 48-hour truce to facilitate dialogue following a week of deadly clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds injured — marking the most serious confrontation between the two neighbours since the Taliban took power in 2021.

According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan does not seek escalation but expects the Afghan Taliban to fulfil their international commitments and address Islamabad’s legitimate security concerns by taking “verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA.”

The discussions will primarily focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan soil and to restore peace and stability along the frontier. Islamabad also appreciated Qatar’s mediation efforts, expressing hope that the Doha talks would pave the way for lasting peace and regional stability.

On the Afghan side, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that a high-level delegation led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob had departed for Doha. “As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha,” he said in a statement.

Tensions between the two countries have soared in recent weeks, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban regime of turning a blind eye to terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.

On October 12, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Fitna al-Khawarij, and Taliban fighters allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistani positions along the border.

The Pakistan Armed Forces retaliated with “self-defence action,” reportedly killing over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants. 

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the clashes. Pakistan also conducted precision strikes targeting militant strongholds in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and Kabul, destroying multiple hideouts.

Following the ceasefire, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Islamabad’s readiness to engage in “reasonable dialogue” with the Taliban government to resolve the crisis.

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in cross-border terror incidents since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The two neighbours share a 2,500-kilometre-long porous border that has long served as both a trade route and a security challenge.

Islamabad continues to urge Kabul to ensure that its soil is not used by banned outfits such as the TTP to launch attacks inside Pakistan, underscoring that counterterrorism cooperation remains central to peace and stability in the region.