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Pakistan and Afghan Taliban Continue Istanbul Talks After Deadly Border Fire

Mediators press both sides to finalize a ceasefire verification system to rescue the fragile Doha truce.

Overview

  • Brief gunfire near Spin BoldakChaman on November 6 left civilians dead, with an Afghan hospital official reporting five killed, including four women, and six wounded as each side blamed the other.
  • Negotiations in Istanbul resumed to implement the October 19 Doha ceasefire through a monitoring and verification mechanism endorsed by Türkiye’s foreign ministry.
  • Pakistan’s delegation is led by ISI chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, and the Afghan team by intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq, with Türkiye and Qatar facilitating.
  • Islamabad insists Afghan territory not be used by the TTP and has warned that failed talks could escalate to war, a stance reiterated by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
  • Key border crossings remain closed to trade and civilian movement, with limited openings for returning refugees as officials say the talks may continue into a second day.