WEB DESK: Pakistan’s delegation presented its final stance to representatives of the Afghan Taliban on Sunday during the second round of bilateral talks in Istanbul, security sources said. According to the sources, Islamabad made clear that it will not accept any form of patronage or sanctuary for terrorist groups and demanded concrete, verifiable steps by the Taliban to end support for militants. The Pakistani team described its proposals as “clear, evidence-based and aimed at delivering a durable solution” to cross-border militancy.
“Taliban arguments have been illogical and at odds with on-the-ground realities,” a Pakistani security official said, adding that Islamabad believes the militants are pursuing an agenda incompatible with the stability of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the wider region. Progress in the talks, the official said, will depend on a positive and serious response from the Taliban delegation.
Pakistan’s demands, the sources said, leave no room for compromise on the core issue of countering terrorism. Islamabad urged the Turkish hosts to press the Taliban to recognise the factual record and cooperate in a manner that could make the negotiations productive.
The talks in Istanbul follow an initial round held in Doha, Qatar. Turkish officials are hosting the current session and, according to Pakistani participants, are continuing efforts to secure Taliban engagement with the evidence and proposals presented by Islamabad.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that failure of diplomacy would have consequences, saying in a televised remark that if talks do not resolve the issues, Pakistan would be prepared to confront the matter by other means. The comment reflected the intensity of Islamabad’s demands and the pressure on the negotiations to yield results.
The Istanbul talks come amid heightened concerns in Islamabad about cross-border militancy and the need for practical guarantees from Kabul that militant groups will not be sheltered or allowed to operate against Pakistan from Afghan soil. The Pakistani delegation said it remains open to continued dialogue but insisted that any further progress must be backed by tangible actions rather than rhetoric.