Pakistan, Afghanistan to resume talks amid tensions over border clashes

Islamabad demands Kabul rein in the Pakistan Taliban as new round of talks begins under regional mediation.

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Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to resume talks in Istanbul at the request of mediator Turkiye after earlier rounds between Islamabad and Kabul failed to resolve spiralling tensions between the neighbours that have exploded into military clashes in recent weeks.

Pakistani security officials said Islamabad's delegation had been planning to depart from the Turkish city after a previous round of talks, spanning four days, ended in a deadlock. Now, however, the team will remain in Istanbul to continue negotiations.

"Pakistan has once again stressed that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. We appreciate the constructive role of our hosts and remain committed to seeking a peaceful resolution in good faith," a security official told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the dialogue.

Afghan media have also reported, quoting sources, that after the intervention of host Turkiye and mediator Qatar, the two countries have agreed to resume their talks, which had ended earlier this week.

The two neighbours were engaged in a weeklong border conflict this month in which both sides suffered casualties. After the skirmishes, mediation by Qatar and Turkiye led to a ceasefire signed by the defence ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan on 19 October, in Doha, in the presence of officials from both mediating nations.