استانبول میزبان مذاکرات افغانستان با پاکستان

Talks between Kabul and Islamabad began today in Istanbul, marking a continuation of the Doha negotiations. The focus is on extending the ceasefire between the two countries and ensuring mutual respect for territorial integrity, including air and landspace sovereignty.

Sources told TOLOnews that a high-level delegation from the Islamic Emirate, led by Rahmatullah Najib, Deputy Minister of Interior, is participating in the talks.

The Kabul delegation includes notable figures such as Suhail Shaheen, Acting Ambassador of Afghanistan in Qatar; Anas Haqqani, senior member of the Islamic Emirate; Noor Ahmad Noor, Director General of Political Affairs at the Foreign Ministry; Noorul Rahman Nusrat, Deputy for Operations at the Ministry of Defense; and Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry.

Aziz Stanekzai, a political analyst, said: “This round, described as the final phase, will open a new chapter between Afghanistan and Pakistan, allowing both sides to cooperate peacefully, based on the UN Charter and international conventions. Pakistan must show respect and refrain from targeting Afghanistan’s airspace.”

On the other side, the Pakistani delegation is comprised of security and diplomatic officials from Islamabad. According to reports, a seven-member Pakistani team, including diplomats and intelligence agency representatives is present at the Istanbul talks.

Sources state that the negotiations are centered on four key areas:

Key Discussion Points:

1. Establishing a monitoring mechanism to prevent hostile actions against each other;

2. Implementing existing laws to uphold the national sovereignty of both countries;

3. Reviewing the root causes of Pakistan’s security challenges over the past two decades;

4. Removing trade barriers, halting the forced deportation of Afghan refugees, and preventing the politicization of this issue.

Fazl Manan Muntaz, a political analyst, stated: “The Doha meeting, followed by the Istanbul talks, shows that Afghanistan’s policy is to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy. It clearly reflects the Islamic Emirate’s intention to solve all domestic and external problems through negotiations.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defense Minister has warned that if the disputes are not resolved through dialogue, the country may enter open war with Afghanistan.

Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, said: “We have options; if negotiations do not yield results and everything remains unchanged, one of the options is open confrontation between us. Talks began two to three hours ago, and their results will become clear by tonight or tomorrow.”

Amir Mohammad Gharan, a former diplomat in Pakistan, remarked: “It is good that issues are being addressed through negotiations, but we do not believe Pakistan acts sincerely. We’ve witnessed previous talks where Pakistan behaved dishonestly and non-transparently.”

Earlier, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, had emphasized that “peace and stability in the region require sincere dialogue and cooperation,” while Pakistani officials similarly stressed the need for “responsible management of disputes.”