Pakistan Submits Evidence-Based Demands to Mediators During Talks With Afghan Taliban in Istanbul

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily)** — Pakistan has handed over *evidence-based demands* to mediators during the ongoing negotiations with the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul, the Foreign Office confirmed on Friday. It also stated that border crossings with Afghanistan will remain closed until the security situation improves.

Foreign Office Spokesperson *Tahir Andarabi* said during his weekly briefing that the Pakistani delegation is being led by *National Security Adviser Asim Malik*, with the *Additional Foreign Secretary* also part of the team. “Our delegation is present in Istanbul, but we cannot comment until the talks conclude,” he noted.

Andarabi explained that the Pakistani side shared “logical and well-documented information” with the mediators, primarily related to *Fitnatul Khawarij* (terror elements). “Our demands are simple, clear, fair, and evidence-based. However, we will not comment further until the negotiations are finalized,” he added.

He confirmed that talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban began on Thursday in Istanbul under the supervision of mediators. Responding to a recent border incident, the spokesperson rejected Kabul’s claims that Pakistan initiated firing at the Chaman border, saying, “The firing was initiated by the Afghan Taliban, to which Pakistani forces responded appropriately.”

The spokesperson stressed that *Pakistan’s borders with Afghanistan will remain closed as long as the security situation remains unstable*, and any decision regarding reopening will be made after careful review.

Regarding other issues, Andarabi expressed condolences over the loss of life and property in northern Afghanistan following a devastating earthquake.

**On Gaza:**
Andarabi clarified that any decision to send Pakistani peacekeeping troops to Gaza would be made by *Parliament*, adding that no such decision has yet been taken. He dismissed reports of secret meetings between Pakistani intelligence officials and foreign agencies, calling such claims “fictional stories propagated by Indian media.”

**On Hindu Pilgrims:**
The spokesperson rejected Indian media reports claiming that Hindu pilgrims were denied entry into Pakistan. He confirmed that *2,400 visas* were issued to Hindu yatrees, and only a few were asked to complete documentation before reapplication.

**On High-Level Visits:**
Prime Minister *Shehbaz Sharif* has departed for *Azerbaijan* to attend *Victory Day celebrations* in Baku. President *Asif Ali Zardari* recently visited *Qatar*, where he held meetings with several global leaders and termed India’s violations of the *Indus Waters Treaty* a serious threat to regional stability.

Deputy Prime Minister *Ishaq Dar* also visited *Türkiye* at the invitation of the Turkish foreign minister to participate in a summit of Muslim-majority nations on *Gaza*. He condemned Israeli aggression, called for unhindered humanitarian access, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine. On the sidelines, he met the Turkish foreign minister and later attended the *Google Chrome Summit*, where he also held a telephonic conversation with *Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand*.