Afghanistan-Pakistan Report ‘Major Progress’ in Istanbul Talks
Delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan said they have made “sizable progress” in peace negotiations held over the weekend in Istanbul, aimed at reinforcing the cease-fire reached earlier this month. The talks focused on establishing mechanisms to monitor border tensions and curb militant cross-border movement.
Agenda and Areas of Agreement
Both countries affirmed their commitment to the cease-fire and discussed forming a joint oversight body to monitor adherence. They also addressed trade-route reopening, refugee repatriation and reinforced respect for each other’s territorial sovereignty. The truce brokered in Doha on October 19 has largely held so far, which has given fresh impetus to the current dialogue.
Remaining Hurdles
Despite the positive tone, key issues remain unresolved: attribution of militant attacks, compensation for affected civilians, and the exact shape of the monitoring body. Pakistani officials warned that failure to reach a binding agreement could lead to renewed hostility, including a return to large-scale military operations.
