Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday that Turkey’s foreign and defense ministers, along with its intelligence chief, will visit Pakistan this week to discuss peace efforts with Afghanistan, with the aim to finalize a lasting ceasefire after earlier talks failed to reach a deal.
Mediated by Turkey and Qatar, the November 6–7 talks in Doha could not cement the 19 October ceasefire between Islamabad and Kabul. Each side accused the other of blocking progress. Fighting erupted last month after Pakistan launched airstrikes on what it said were Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) targets inside Afghanistan. Kabul denied the claim.
Erdogan said Turkey “closely follows the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.” He expressed hope that the visit would “seal a permanent ceasefire and peace between Islamabad and Kabul as soon as possible,” according to Turkish broadcaster TRT.
Pakistan Reaffirms Readiness for Dialogue
In a statement issued soon after Erdogan’s remarks, Pakistan’s foreign office reaffirmed its readiness for dialogue, saying in a statement: “Pakistan’s intention has always been to constructively engage with Afghanistan to enable it to become a stable, peaceful, and prosperous country.”
However, Islamabad accused the Taliban of offering “hollow promises and inaction.” It added, “More than being a matter of capability, it has become a matter of intent of the Taliban regime.” Pakistan urged Kabul to take “definite and concrete actions” against militants targeting its territory.
The statement also accused Kabul of portraying TTP and Baloch separatists as refugees, calling it “a ploy to frame terrorists as refugees.” Pakistan said it was ready to receive its nationals “handed over at Torkham or Chaman crossings, not hurled across the border armed with weapons.”
According to the United Nations, recent clashes killed 50 civilians and wounded 447 in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s army reported 23 soldiers killed and 29 wounded.
Tensions have risen since 2021 amid increasing TTP attacks. Islamabad suspects Kabul’s coordination with India, while the Taliban insists on Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
