ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top intelligence official, Lieutenant General Asim Malik, departs for Türkiye today to resume negotiations with the Afghan Taliban leadership, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital on Wednesday.
Malik, the Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is set to meet his counterpart, Afghanistan’s interim intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq, as the two sides move into the next phase of talks on the ongoing ceasefire and cross-border security arrangements.
Last week, Pakistan and Afghanistan reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire during discussions mediated by Türkiye and Qatar.
The truce was first agreed upon in Doha on October 18–19, with both sides deciding to hold a principal-level follow-up meeting on November 6 to finalize implementation details. A joint monitoring and verification mechanism is also being formed to track compliance and take action in case of violations.
Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has stated that both sides will continue future meetings to address remaining issues, stressing Kabul’s desire for positive relations based on mutual respect and non-interference.
During the second round of talks in Istanbul, the Afghan Taliban committed to taking “clear, verifiable, and effective action” against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), according to Pakistani officials.
Sources describe the developments as a significant step toward regional stability, while emphasizing that the ceasefire remains conditional on Afghan territory not being used for attacks inside Pakistan.
“This outcome has been achieved through reasoned diplomacy, patience, and steadfast commitment to national interest, despite hurdles and accusations from adversaries,” one official said.
