Verifiable monitoring system, accountability for violations top priorities for mediators.
ISLAMABAD | Thursday, November 6, 2025
Talks resume as mediators push verification plan
Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban delegation met in Istanbul today for another round of negotiations aimed at shoring up the fragile ceasefire and creating a concrete mechanism to verify violations and hold violators accountable a proposal being actively pushed by mediators Turkey and Qatar.
Islamabad’s red line: stop cross-border terrorism
Pakistan’s participation is focused on one clear demand that Afghan territory must not be used as a base for attacks against Pakistan. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned publicly that Islamabad expects meaningful action and said the situation could “deteriorate” if the talks fail, adding that Pakistan would respond if violations continue.
Background: clashes, ceasefire, and earlier rounds
The Istanbul session follows earlier emergency diplomacy including a Qatar-mediated ceasefire on October 19 and previous meetings in Doha and Istanbul after deadly cross-border clashes in mid-October left scores dead and sparked mutual accusations of airstrikes and border attacks. The October agreements produced a temporary truce but left Pakistan’s core demand a verifiable end to militant use of Afghan soil unresolved.
What mediators want: monitoring + accountability
Turkish and Qatari officials have said negotiators aim to finalise a verification mechanism to monitor alleged violations and ensure there are consequences for breaches. The emphasis is on making the ceasefire durable through transparent procedures both sides accept.
Pakistani security posture and political signals
High-level Pakistani diplomatic and military delegations are in Istanbul for the talks. Domestically, Pakistan’s military and political leadership have signalled impatience: military chiefs stress they want peace but will not tolerate cross-border terrorism; civilian leaders echo the need for verifiable guarantees. Islamabad has publicly credited mediators and said it will engage in good faith, while reserving the right to respond to continued threats.
Risks and likely outcomes
If mediators secure a mutually acceptable verification mechanism and clear accountability procedures, the ceasefire could be extended and tensions reduced. If talks collapse or the verification framework is deemed inadequate, Islamabad has signalled it could revert to coercive measures raising the risk of renewed cross-border confrontation.