Afghan and Pakistani delegations meet in Istanbul to finalize a potential ceasefire extension and establish a framework respecting each other’s territorial and aerial sovereignty amid rising cross-border tensions.
Afghan and Pakistani delegations meet in Istanbul to finalize a potential ceasefire extension and establish a framework respecting each other’s territorial and aerial sovereignty amid rising cross-border tensions. (Image Credit: Daily News Egypt)
NEW DELHI: Afghan and Pakistani delegations are meeting again in Istanbul this afternoon to finalize a potential ceasefire extension and a framework to ensure respect for each other’s territorial and aerial sovereignty.
The two sides reconvened at noon today, following an intense fifteen-hour negotiation session that ran into the early hours of the morning. During the overnight talks, the Afghan delegation, led by senior Taliban official Haji Najib, handed over a finalized draft proposal to the Pakistani side at around 2:00 a.m. through mediators.
The Afghan draft stresses that Pakistan must refrain from violating Afghanistan’s airspace and territory, and must not allow any opposition force or group to operate from its soil against Afghanistan. Kabul has also proposed the creation of a four-party mechanism to monitor ceasefire violations and facilitate regular information-sharing.
Pakistan submitted its own revised draft around 6:00 a.m., setting the stage for today’s meeting to reconcile the two versions.
The Afghan team includes Hafiz Anas, Suhail Shaheen, Mawlawi Noorul Rahman Nusrat, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, and Noor Ahmad Noor. Diplomatic observers say the Istanbul dialogue marks one of the most serious attempts in recent months to stabilize relations between the two uneasy neighbors amid mounting tensions over cross-border attacks and militant activity.
