By Sajid Khan

ISLAMABAD — A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, is meeting with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today to discuss immediate steps to end cross-border terrorism and restore peace and stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions have a “single, clear agenda”: securing verifiable action by the Afghan authorities against terrorist entities operating from Afghan soil that threaten Pakistan’s national security.

“Pakistan does not seek escalation,” the statement said, “but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns through verifiable measures.”

A senior Pakistani security official described the Doha talks as a one-point meeting, focused entirely on pressing Afghanistan to “stop supporting Fitna-al-Khawarij and terrorism inside Pakistan.” The official stressed that Islamabad has endured years of unproductive engagement and that “lip service is no longer acceptable.”

“Pakistan reserves the right to neutralise threats immediately, wherever they originate inside Afghanistan,” the official added, noting that the country has sacrificed over 95,000 lives in its ongoing fight against terrorism and remains steadfast in its determination to protect its citizens.

The official accused elements within Afghanistan of providing physical and material support to Indian-linked proxy groups, calling such actions “unacceptable and intolerable.” Pakistan, he said, views the removal of these groups as essential for building a stable and mutually beneficial relationship between the two neighbours.

“The Afghan authorities now face a clear choice,” he said. “They must decide whether to stand with regional stability or with forces of instability. Duplicity will no longer be tolerated.”

The Afghan delegation, led by Acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, has also arrived in Doha for the talks. The Taliban’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed their participation, expressing hope for constructive engagement.

Pakistan expressed appreciation for Qatar’s mediation efforts and said it hopes the Doha talks will lead to “swift, verifiable outcomes” that address the root causes of cross-border violence and rebuild trust between Islamabad and Kabul.