A high-level Turkish delegation, including intelligence and ministerial officials, is set to travel to Islamabad in a renewed effort to broker a de-escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, amid a recent surge in cross-border tensions.
The planned diplomatic mission, confirmed by Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan İrfan Neziroğlu in a media interview on Friday, underscores Ankara’s deepening commitment to fostering stability between the two neighboring nations. The delegation is expected to include the head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and several key ministers, signaling a comprehensive approach to the complex issues at hand.
“Both countries should live like brothers. Türkiye is determined to make this possible,” Ambassador Neziroğlu stated, echoing the fraternal rhetoric that has characterized Türkiye’s mediation efforts.
A Planned Initiative with High-Level Backing
This mediation push was first set in motion earlier this month during a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of an event in Baku. The upcoming visit represents the follow-through on that high-level discussion.
The initiative comes against a backdrop of heightened hostility. Recent months have seen an increase in cross-border fire, with Pakistani military conducting airstrikes on Afghan territory and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan claiming retaliatory attacks. The primary point of contention is Islamabad’s persistent accusation that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) provides safe haven to the militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which launches attacks against Pakistani security forces from across the border. Kabul has consistently denied these allegations.
A History of Stalled Dialogue
This will not be the first attempt at third-party mediation. As reported by Geo TV, previous rounds of talks facilitated by Qatar and Türkiye were held in Doha and Istanbul. However, these discussions have so far failed to yield a breakthrough.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, placed the blame for the previous failures squarely on Pakistan. He stated that the “irresponsible behavior and lack of cooperation from the Pakistani delegation prevented the talks in Türkiye from producing results, despite the goodwill of the IEA and the efforts of the mediators.”
This accusation highlights the deep-seated distrust that any mediator must overcome.
Türkiye’s Unique Position as Mediator
Analysts suggest that Türkiye is one of the few nations capable of engaging both sides. It maintains strong historical and military ties with Pakistan while also retaining a diplomatic channel with the Taliban government in Kabul, a relationship it has carefully cultivated. This unique position allows Ankara to act as a credible intermediary where others might not be able to.
The success of this mission is critical for regional security. A prolonged conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan threatens not only bilateral relations but also has the potential to destabilize the wider region, impacting trade, refugee flows, and counter-terrorism efforts.
All eyes will now be on the Turkish delegation as it prepares to undertake this challenging diplomatic endeavor, aiming to translate a message of brotherhood into a tangible and peaceful resolution.
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