Overview
- Pakistan kept its delegation in Istanbul after hosts pressed for a restart, with state media in both countries signaling talks would resume under Turkish and Qatari facilitation.
- The agenda centers on Islamabad’s demand for clear, verifiable action against groups such as the TTP and guarantees that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks on Pakistan.
- Pakistani officials said the previous round collapsed without workable assurances, while Afghan state broadcaster RTA blamed what it called unreasonable Pakistani demands.
- A ceasefire largely holds and no new border firefights were reported this week, but key crossings remain shut, leaving trade stuck and refugees and truck convoys stranded.
- Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif warned Pakistan could strike inside Afghanistan if attacks continue, as October’s clashes left dozens dead, and India publicly backed Afghanistan’s sovereignty while criticizing Pakistan over cross‑border terrorism.