The Pakistani Foreign Office has officially confirmed that the country is actively involved in negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, which are currently taking place in Istanbul. The government has advised the public and media to ignore unverified reports circulating on social media regarding these sensitive discussions.
Official Stance on Afghan Talks
During the weekly press briefing held on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarabi clarified Pakistan's unwavering position. He stated that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorist activities against any country. Andarabi revealed that Islamabad has presented its demands, backed by evidence, to mediators, and these are now being discussed in detail with the Taliban representatives.
"The mediators have fully supported Pakistan’s stance, and the dialogue process is progressing constructively," Andarabi remarked, firmly dismissing speculative reports about the nature of the talks.
Broader Diplomatic and Security Priorities
Beyond the talks in Istanbul, the spokesperson highlighted other critical issues on Pakistan's diplomatic agenda. He strongly reaffirmed that Pakistan will not tolerate any breach of the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasizing that water security is fundamental to national stability.
Andarabi also condemned Israel’s repeated violations of the Gaza ceasefire and reiterated Pakistan's steadfast support for the Gaza Peace Initiative, which aims to establish a durable peace in the region.
Updates on Kashmir and High-Level Diplomacy
The spokesperson turned attention to the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), noting that its people continue to endure state-sponsored repression. He mentioned that President Asif Ali Zardari recently addressed the Doha Conference, where he reiterated Pakistan's firm stance on the Kashmir issue while engaging with several world leaders.
In other diplomatic movements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently in Azerbaijan to attend the fifth anniversary of the country’s Victory Day in Baku. Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar visited Istanbul on November 3, where he discussed a range of bilateral and regional matters amid the ongoing Pakistan–Afghan Taliban negotiations.
