DIPLOMATIC NEWS
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday confirmed that Pakistan’s negotiations with the Afghan Taliban are underway in Istanbul and remain under the supervision of international mediators.
During the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the atmosphere of the talks has been “constructive,” but stressed that they are still in progress and no final outcome has emerged so far.
“The process has neither concluded nor produced any results yet,” he clarified. Andrabi added that Pakistan’s team is briefing mediators on what it describes as Fitna al-Khawarij—a term used for militant outfits believed to be operating from Afghan territory.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s demands from Kabul are straightforward and rooted in solid evidence: Afghanistan must take firm action against these groups. “Our position is simple, clear and based on facts. We will comment only once the talks reach a conclusion,” he said.
According to the FO, Pakistan’s National Security Adviser on Afghan Affairs and the Director General for Afghanistan are among the key officials participating in the Istanbul talks, which are being facilitated by third-party mediators.
Responding to questions about the possibility of sending Pakistani troops to Gaza, Andrabi said such a decision lies with the parliament. He noted that Pakistan is currently focused on diplomatic engagement and humanitarian coordination with global partners.
He also rejected reports from Indian media claiming that Hindu pilgrims were denied entry into Pakistan. Andrabi stated that 2,400 visas had been issued for the religious visit, and only those with incomplete paperwork were asked to return. Their visas would be reissued once proper documentation is provided.
Similarly, he dismissed claims that Sikh pilgrims were barred from entering the Kartarpur Corridor, confirming that more than 2,000 visas had been granted for the visit.
Calling the Indian media reports “baseless,” the spokesperson said such stories often rely on unfounded allegations and misrepresentations.
Speaking on broader diplomatic engagements, Andrabi noted that Pakistan’s president recently traveled to Qatar, where he met several world leaders to discuss bilateral and economic cooperation.
He also expressed concern over India’s violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that such actions pose a “serious threat” to regional stability. Pakistan, he said, remains committed to resolving water disputes through dialogue and international legal frameworks.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan wants the ongoing Pak-Afghan negotiations to be formalized through a written agreement rather than informal understandings.
Talking to the media outside Parliament House, he stressed that all commitments must be documented, especially since Qatar and Turkiye are expected to serve as guarantors in case of violations. Asif said Islamabad is independently conducting its talks with Kabul and requires no external guidance.
He reiterated that Pakistan is striving for stability, economic growth, and enhanced regional trade. “Peace and trade are essential for the region, and that is exactly what we seek. Any party offering guarantees should provide them in writing so we can move forward with clarity,” he said.
Read more:https://nayakashmir.com/pakistan-wants-written-commitment-in-talks-with-afghan-taliban-asif/
