Pakistan has agreed to prolong crucial peace negotiations with Afghanistan in Istanbul, following a request from host nations Türkiye and Qatar, a senior Pakistani security official confirmed on Thursday.

The decision comes despite a recent breakdown in talks and fiery threats from Islamabad, as cross-border militant attacks intensify.

The trilateral dialogue, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, commenced on October 25 but stalled earlier this week without resolution. Pakistan accuses Afghan government in Kabul of failing to curb the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a separate insurgent group allegedly operating freely from Afghan territory to launch assaults on Pakistani forces. Kabul rejects these claims, asserting it has no authority over the TTP, which has ramped up attacks in recent weeks, killing dozens along the porous border.

The negotiations were spurred by the deadliest border clashes since Islamic Emirate's 2021 takeover of Afghanistan. A ceasefire brokered in Doha on October 19 temporarily halted violence, but subsequent rounds failed to yield agreements on security guarantees.

"On the request of our hosts and friends, Pakistan has agreed to extend the dialogue process," the unnamed security official stated. "The Pakistani delegation, which was prepared to depart, will now remain in Istanbul to resume negotiations." He emphasized that discussions would center on Pakistan's core demand: "clear, verifiable and effective action" by Afghanistan against terrorists using its soil for anti-Pakistan operations.

State-run Pakistan TV Digital, quoting well-placed sources, corroborated the extension, noting the delegation's decision to stay at Türkiye's urging. "We appreciate the constructive role of our hosts and remain committed to seeking a peaceful resolution in good faith," the official added.

In the 24 hours since the extension was announced, fresh reports indicate sporadic violations of the Doha ceasefire. Pakistani military sources claimed on Thursday afternoon that TTP militants fired rockets from Afghanistan's Khost province into North Waziristan, wounding two soldiers. The Afghan Ministry of Defense countered via a statement on X, blaming "provocative actions" by Pakistani border guards and vowing to investigate.

Internationally, the United States urged both sides to de-escalate during a State Department briefing on October 30. "We support the mediation efforts by Türkiye and Qatar and call for verifiable steps to deny safe haven to terrorists," spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the humanitarian fallout, noting that renewed fighting has displaced over 5,000 families in border regions since mid-October, according to preliminary UNHCR estimates.

Qatari mediators confirmed late Thursday that talks would resume Friday morning in Istanbul, with a focus on establishing joint border patrols and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reportedly pledged continued support to prevent a broader conflict. (ILKHA)