On 6 November 2025, high-stakes negotiations resumed between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime based in Kabul for their third round of talks to restore stability after deadly border clashes last month. Aaj English TV +3
Background
Pakistan and Afghanistan have recently seen some of their fiercest fighting since the Taliban took power in 2021, with clashes along their 2,600km border killing and wounding numerous soldiers, militants, and civilians alike. (Wikipedia +1)
Qatar was responsible for brokering an accord in Doha on October 19th; yet its durability remained uncertain. Reuters
Early rounds of dialogue–including two meetings held in Istanbul prior to this third one–ended without lasting resolution, leading up to this third one being held. When that meeting ended without lasting agreements being signed off on, this third one took place. –
Turkey and Qatar have convened the third round under mediation. Pakistani is represented by Lt Gen Asim Malik, Director General of ISI as well as senior military, intelligence, and foreign office officials.
Dawn devoiling that Afghanistan Taliban side includes General Directorate of Interrogation Abdul Haq Waseq, Deputy Interior Minister Rehmatullah Najib, senior figures like Anas Haqqani and Suhail Shaheen along with other political-diplomatic personalities such as Amu TV.
Agenda points of the meeting include ensuring Afghanistan does not use its territory to attack Pakistan, implementing the ceasefire agreement, and creating a monitoring and verification mechanism to detect breaches. Aaj English TV/Global News
Pakistan has made it clear: dialogue should only continue if tangible progress can be made. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned of continuing cross-border attacks that would compel Islamabad to respond: if violations continue against our territory we will respond accordingly.” Aaj English TV also reported this news item.
Pakistan’s “single-point agenda” in Afghanistan is to ensure it does not provide sanctuary to militants targeting Pakistan, according to Reuters. Schlusselpunkte und Stickierpunkte
Militant Safe Havens: Pakistan accuses Afghan Taliban of providing safe haven to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups based out of Afghan soil; Kabul denies its capacity to manage these organizations.
Reuters
Enforcement of Ceasefire: Though the truce has held thus far, Pakistan reports that trade and border crossings remain mostly suspended pending security assurances.
Border Legacies: Kabul still disputes Pakistan’s claim of sovereignty for its Durand Line border, complicating negotiations and negotiations over border sovereignty. mes The Washington Post Its Possible Outcomes and Challenges.
Successful Istanbul talks could result in a mechanism to monitor and penalise cease-fire violations, reopen border crossings for trade and civilian movement, and lessen the risk of large-scale fighting. If talks fail however, Islamabad has warned of an “open war” scenario should the dialogue stalls – something Reuters noted was likely already occurring by this point in negotiations.
Analysts warn that even with an agreement in place, its implementation may take time due to mutual mistrust and the complex terrain of militants, tribal dynamics and Afghan sovereignty concerns.
Why it Matters
The stability of Pakistan-Afghanistan border region affects regional security, refugee flows, trade flows and external actors such as Turkey and Qatar that mediate between these two nations. A failure may embolden militant groups while hindering relief efforts for border communities – potentially leading to wider regional conflicts. Conversely, an agreement could strengthen Pakistan-Afghan relations as well as set an example for Taliban-led Kabul diplomatic engagement as a platform for stabilising one of the world’s more fragile borders.
As delegates from Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban reconvene in Istanbul for yet another round of talks, time is ticking away. Islamabad must progress or face serious repercussions; Kabul must strike a balance between militant commitments and external expectations. A third round may not guarantee peace; yet it may provide the last realistic chance to prevent open hostilities along its historically volatile border.