ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are holding a second round of talks in Istanbul today, building on the progress made during their previous discussions in Doha.
This was confirmed by Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during a weekly press briefing. He stated that the Istanbul talks are a direct continuation of the Doha dialogue and will further explore all the points previously agreed upon.
The spokesperson highlighted that the initial Doha talks had yielded positive results, including a ceasefire that has led to a significant reduction in major terrorist attacks against Pakistan from the Afghan border. He downplayed the technical name of the Doha agreement, emphasizing that its implementation is what truly matters.
Andrabi defended the recent temporary closure of key border crossings with Afghanistan, stating that protecting Pakistani lives is the government’s top priority, even above trade and food shipments. He reiterated Pakistan’s demand for “verifiable action” from the Afghan side to prevent terrorist attacks originating from its soil.
Following the clashes trad and transit halts between both countries, hundreds of loaded vehicles with goods stranded on both side of the border.
For Pakistan, the protection of a common citizen is more important than the transportation of the goods and trade.
According to the spokesperson of the foreign office, in the Doha peace talks, a document was signed and agreed upon.
Now it does not make much of a difference whether the Taliban government calls it an agreement or not.
The spokesperson has said that Pakistan will abide by the international law about the Kunar River.
According to the spokesperson of the Foreign Office, the Pak-Afghan trade corridors will maintain the closure on account of the strain on border during the last week.
