Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have agreed to maintain their ongoing ceasefire and resume peace talks in Istanbul on November 6, 2025, as confirmed by a statement issued by Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Observer Guardian, the Turkish ministry announced on Thursday that all parties involved had consented to uphold the ceasefire until the Istanbul meeting, where the mechanism for its implementation will be reviewed and finalized.
The latest round of discussions between Pakistani and Afghan officials took place in Istanbul, mediated by Turkey and Qatar. Both sides concluded the talks by agreeing to continue dialogue in pursuit of long-term peace, a commitment confirmed by Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for Afghanistan’s interim administration.
Observer Guardian reported that this development follows deadly border clashes between the two countries earlier this month. On October 19, delegations from Islamabad and Kabul met in Doha under the mediation of Qatar and Turkey, resulting in the enforcement of a ceasefire that remains in effect.
The Istanbul discussions were aimed at building upon that progress and establishing a framework for sustainable peace. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Geo News that Pakistan chose to give peace another chance following requests from Turkey and Qatar. He revealed that the Pakistani delegation, originally scheduled to return home, was asked to extend its stay in Istanbul for further consultations.
Historically, Pakistan has played a frontline role in Afghanistan’s crises, particularly during the Soviet invasion, when it hosted nearly four million Afghan refugees. However, the rise in violent attacks within Pakistan—mostly claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—has strained relations between Islamabad and the Taliban government in Kabul.
As highlighted by Observer Guardian, Pakistani military sources report that more than 500 people, including over 311 soldiers, have been killed in militant attacks this year. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering TTP fighters, an allegation Kabul strongly denies.
This renewed diplomatic effort signals a rare moment of cooperation between the two neighbors. The Istanbul peace initiative represents not only a crucial attempt to stabilize regional security but also a hopeful indication that Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite deep-rooted mistrust, remain committed to dialogue over discord.
