Pakistan rejects Kabul’s twisting of facts over Istanbul talks

Pakistan dismissed claims reportedly made by the Afghan government suggesting that Islamabad had turned down Kabul’s proposal to repatriate Pakistani nationals.

In a post on X, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said, Pakistan ‘rejects the deliberate twisting of facts’ attributed to the Afghan spokesperson regarding the recent Istanbul talks.

The ministry clarified that during the talks, Pakistan had demanded action against terrorists operating from Afghanistan and posing a threat to Pakistan. “When the Afghan side claimed that those individuals were Pakistani nationals, Pakistan immediately proposed that they be handed over through designated border posts, consistent with Pakistan’s long-standing position,” the statement read.

“Any claim to the contrary is false and misleading,” the ministry added.

Pakistan rejects deliberate twisting of facts attributed to Afghan spokesperson regarding Istanbul talks.

Pakistan had demanded that terrorists in Afghanistan posing a threat to Pakistan be controlled or arrested.

The rebuttal came after a Kabul-based news outlet posted on X a statement attributed to Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, claiming that ‘the Islamic Emirate offered to deport migrants, but Pakistan rejected the proposal’.

The war of words came on the backdrop of ceasefire talks in Doha where Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban had reached an interim understanding on Thursday following six days of high-level talks in Istanbul.

Read: Pakistan, Afghan Taliban reach interim understanding in Istanbul talks

The development aimed at preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan and taking decisive action against India-backed militant groups, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), referred to by Pakistani officials as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ and ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’.

The dialogue appeared to stall several times over the past week, with the Pakistani delegation even preparing to return home without a breakthrough. However, following requests from the host nations — Turkiye and Qatar — and an appeal from the Afghan Taliban delegation, Pakistan agreed to continue negotiations ‘to give peace another chance’.

During Thursday’s session, both sides reached a provisional mutual understanding, with key points outlined as follows:

1. All parties reaffirmed that the purpose of the talks was to reinforce the ceasefire originally agreed upon in Doha.

2. Both sides committed to maintaining the ceasefire on the condition that Afghan territory will not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. The understanding also requires the Afghan Taliban to take ‘clear, verifiable, and effective action’ against groups such as Fitna al Khwarij (TTP) and Fitna al Hindustan (BLA).

3. The next round of talks will be held in Istanbul on November 6 to finalise details and implementation mechanisms.

4. A joint monitoring and verification mechanism will be established to ensure compliance and impose penalties on any party found violating the agreement.

5. Turkiye and Qatar, acting as mediators and hosts, commended both sides for their participation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting lasting peace and stability in the region.

Also Read: Truce with Kabul comes with caveat

During talks, Pakistani delegation maintained a firm and evidence-based stance, presenting its demands with ‘clarity, professionalism, and logical consistency’. The eventual agreement was described as a ‘victory for reason and national interest’.

The interim outcome of the talks is a positive step towards regional stability and a milestone achievement despite attempts by adversaries to derail the process through propaganda and pressure.

Pakistan’s participation in the Istanbul talks, marked by ‘seriousness, prudence, and national dignity’, has been widely appreciated. The mediation efforts of Turkiye and Qatar were also credited with helping to achieve the breakthrough.

The government reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to pursuing peace but will not compromise on its sovereignty, national interest, or public security. Civil and military leadership reaffirmed unity and determination to counter all internal and external threats to the country’s stability.