Pakistan hopeful for positive outcome in next round of talks with Taliban

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed hope that the next round of talks with the Afghan Taliban, scheduled for November 6, will yield a positive outcome.

During his weekly press briefing on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that “Pakistan will continue to play its role in the reconciliation process and expects positive results from the November 6 dialogue.”

Earlier, the talks between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban collapsed in Istanbul. Later, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban agreed to resume their stalled talks in Istanbul following a request from the host country.

The foreign office spokesperson recalled that the second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government concluded in Istanbul on Thursday evening in the presence of mediators.

According to the spokesperson, “Pakistan participated in the Istanbul talks, which began on October 25, with sincerity and a positive approach.”

He said the talks were initially planned for two days but continued for four days as Pakistan, with mutual consent, made a serious effort to reach an understanding with the Taliban government.

“Pakistan held constructive discussions with the Taliban government but did not compromise on its clear position that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” Andrabi said.

He stressed that Pakistan does not seek further escalation but expects the Taliban government to honour its commitments to the international community and to take firm and verifiable action against terrorist organisations — including Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan — to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.

Andrabi said Pakistan has been urging the Afghan Taliban for the past four years to take decisive and effective action against terrorist groups operating from its territory.

“We have repeatedly shared credible information with the Taliban government about the presence of senior leadership of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan in Afghanistan, but despite repeated assurances, terrorist attacks from Afghan soil on Pakistan have increased,” he said.

He said that in October, unprovoked attacks were carried out on Pakistani territory from across the Afghan border, and Pakistan responded strongly to the provocations in border areas.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made it clear that Pakistan desires peace but will take every necessary measure to protect its sovereignty and people. He reiterated Pakistan’s hope for a positive outcome from the November 6 talks and appreciated the constructive role of Qatar and Turkey.