To reduce rising tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government, Turkey will send a high-level delegation to Islamabad next week. The primary goal of this visit is to seek a peaceful resolution. This was reported on Saturday by The News.
At a reception organised for Oman’s National Day, Turkey’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, told The News that the delegation will include Turkey’s intelligence chief and other key ministers. Turkey’s Minister of Energy, Alparslan Bayraktar, will also join the delegation on the Islamabad visit.
He stated that Turkey wants to ensure that Afghan territory is not used to carry out acts of terror or bloodshed in Pakistan. Turkey is committed to making sure both countries can coexist peacefully, like brothers.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated on 12 October when Taliban forces and India-backed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Fitna al-Khawariz, launched sudden attacks on Pakistan. In response, the Pakistan Armed Forces conducted defensive operations, killing over 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants. Twenty-three Pakistani soldiers were martyred during the clashes.
On 19 October, the two countries agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Doha. Subsequently, multiple meetings were held in Istanbul, where Pakistan aimed to establish a permanent mechanism to prevent cross-border terrorism from Afghan territory. However, the talks failed to deliver the expected results due to Kabul’s rigid stance. Pakistan alleges that the Afghan government has turned the discussions into a platform to blame Pakistan rather than address the core issues.
Khaborwala/SS
