September 18, 2026

Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul, sources say

Two of the sources say the nations have agreed to recommence talks at the request of host nation Turkey

Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul, sources say
Afghan Taliban fighters patrol near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan, Oct 15, 2025. REUTERS

bdnews24.com

Asif Shahzad and Mushtaq Ali, Reuters

Published : 30 Oct 2025, 07:17 PM

Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:39 PM

Afghanistan and Pakistan will restart peace talks in Istanbul, three sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday, a day after Islamabad said the discussions had ended in failure.

Two of the sources said the nations had agreed to recommence talks at the request of host nation Turkey. Negotiation teams from both countries are currently in Istanbul, two of the sources said.

The Afghan Taliban and Pakistan's military and foreign office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Dozens were killed this month along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the worst such violence since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.

Both nations agreed to a ceasefire brokered in Doha on Oct 19, but could not find common ground in a second round of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar in Istanbul, Afghan and Pakistani sources briefed on the issue told Reuters on Tuesday.

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