DOHA/ISLAMABAD: The first round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban delegations concluded in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday after more than five hours of discussions, sources said.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and included National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Asim Malik. The Afghan delegation was headed by acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, with Taliban intelligence chief Maulvi Abdul Haq among the participants.
According to sources, both sides presented their concerns and grievances during the meeting. Pakistan maintained that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Gul Bahadur Group were operating from Afghan soil and that there was solid evidence of cross-border infiltration.
The Pakistani side also raised the issue of extortion calls made to Pakistani citizens from Afghanistan.
Pakistan urged the Afghan Taliban to take action against TTP and Gul Bahadur Group.
In response, the Afghan delegation claimed that action had been taken against such elements following Pakistan’s complaints.
Sources said the second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban would be held in Doha on Sunday. The negotiations are being hosted by the Qatari intelligence chief and are focused on Pakistan’s single-point agenda of preventing cross-border infiltration.
Earlier, the Foreign Office had confirmed that a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, would hold talks with Afghan Taliban representatives in Doha to discuss “immediate measures” for ending cross-border terrorism.
A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by our Minister of Defence, will hold discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today. The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 18, 2025
In a statement posted on X, the Foreign Office said the objective of the meeting was to restore peace and stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
“Pakistan does not seek any escalation,” the statement said, “but urges the Afghan authorities to honour their commitments to the international community.”
It further stated that Pakistan expects the Taliban to take “verifiable action” against groups threatening Pakistan’s security — specifically mentioning Fitna-tul-Khawarij (the banned TTP) and Fitna al-Hindustan (the banned Baloch Liberation Army).
The statement also expressed appreciation for Qatar’s mediation efforts and hoped that the dialogue would help promote regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed on X that a delegation led by acting Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob had departed for Qatar to attend the talks with Pakistan.
Earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that security forces killed between 60 and 70 militants including key leaders of the Gul Bahadur Group in targeted operations carried out last night.
In a post on social media platform X, Tarar said Pakistan successfully targeted the camps of Khawarij militants affiliated with the Gul Bahadur Group in border areas of North and South Waziristan adjoining Afghanistan.
He said that during the past 48 hours of ceasefire, Khawarij operating from Afghan soil attempted to infiltrate Pakistani territory and carry out multiple terrorist attacks. However, security forces effectively foiled their attempts, killing more than 100 foreign fighters in retaliatory strikes.
Background
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan flared earlier this month after Taliban border forces opened unprovoked fire on October 11–12. Taliban officials in Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand confirmed heavy clashes following Pakistani airstrikes targeting militant hideouts.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent the banned TTP from using Afghan soil for attacks inside Pakistan. Security sources said dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in retaliatory strikes by Pakistani forces, forcing them to retreat.
On October 14, Afghan forces again opened unprovoked fire in Kurram, to which Pakistan responded, inflicting heavy losses. On October 15, the ISPR said Afghan Taliban fighters launched attacks at four locations near Chaman’s Spin Boldak area, all of which were repelled, killing 15–20 Taliban militants.
The same day, Pakistan carried out precision airstrikes targeting militant hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul, away from civilian areas. Following the strikes, Pakistan accepted Afghanistan’s request for a ceasefire.