UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM AFGHANISTAN, CHANGES HEAD, DECK,LEDE
By Islamuddin Sajid and Saadet Gokce
ISLAMABAD / ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye will host a second round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and Afghan officials announced on Friday.
Pakistani Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi told reporters in the capital Islamabad that the meeting on Saturday aims to establish a “concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism” to curb cross-border terrorism.
“We welcome the agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan finalized in Doha, Qatar on 19 October 2025 as a first step in the ensuring regional peace and stability," said Andrabi.
“Pakistan also looks forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism in the next meeting, to be hosted by Türkiye in Istanbul on 25 October 2025 to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan and prevent any further loss of life of Pakistanis," he added.
Kabul confirmed the meeting in Istanbul.
Afghan interim administration spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said its delegation is led by Mawlawi Rahmatullah Najeeb, deputy minister at the Ministry of Interior.
“The remaining issues (with Pakistan) will be discussed in the meeting,” Mujahid said on the US social media company X.
The Afghan delegation left Kabul for Istanbul, he added.
After days of deadly border clashes, last week Doha hosted talks between Islamabad and Kabul, mediated by Qatar and Türkiye, and the two sides reached a ceasefire which is currently in place.
Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Andrabi also expressed Pakistan’s deep appreciation for the “constructive role” played by Qatar and Türkiye in facilitating dialogue between the two sides.