Istanbul Talks Seek Oversight After Deadly Border Clashes

The second round of Pakistan–Afghanistan talks began in Istanbul under Türkiye’s auspices to build on the Doha ceasefire and agree a concrete, verifiable joint monitoring and oversight mechanism to curb cross‑border militant movement while addressing sovereignty, trade and refugee repatriation. Afghan delegates are led by Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah/Hajji Najib with senior Taliban figures present, and Pakistan is represented by a small team of security officials meeting at a local Istanbul hotel. The Doha-brokered truce has largely held but the border remains closed after days of heavy fighting and Pakistani airstrikes that killed dozens, injured hundreds and disrupted trade. Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif warned Islamabad could go into an “open war” if the Istanbul talks collapse. Islamabad has also begun demolishing refugee camps in Balochistan, displacing thousands, while Afghan authorities deny sheltering militants. Qatar and Türkiye are mediating to try to turn the temporary calm into a lasting, structured mechanism for stability.