Imran Khan’s directive for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s CM to negotiate directly with the Taliban for Kabul peace talks, sparks debate on Pakistan’s regional security strategy.
Islamabad, Tuesday, September 10, 2025 – Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul peace talks 2025 took centre stage as the jailed former prime minister instructed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to visit Kabul for direct peace talks with the Taliban government, aiming to curb escalating terrorism along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan.
Khan’s directive, issued via a statement from his official account, comes amid rising terror incidents in KP and tensions over Afghan refugee deportations. The move has reignited discussions on provincial versus federal authority in foreign policy, with Khan criticising military operations and advocating dialogue to restore regional stability.
Regional Security Implications
The Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul peace talks 2025 initiative underscores Pakistan’s complex relationship with Afghanistan, a critical factor in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape. KP’s proximity to Afghanistan makes it a frontline region for cross-border militancy, particularly from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), affecting Pakistan’s internal security and its role in regional frameworks like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Successful talks could reduce violence and foster cooperation, but bypassing federal channels risks domestic political friction and could complicate ties with Kabul, influencing stability across the Durand Line and beyond.
Khan’s Directive and Rationale
On Tuesday, September 10, 2025, according to the official account of Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder directed KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to travel to Kabul to discuss mutual issues and security concerns with the Taliban government. Khan argued that dialogue is essential to prevent further deterioration in KP, where terrorism has surged. He accused the military leadership of undermining peace through “short-sighted” policies, claiming the PTI government had previously stabilised the region.
Khan also opposed the ongoing deportation of Afghan refugees, stating, “It grieves me deeply that after decades of hospitality, our Afghan brothers are now being forcibly pushed out of the country.” He highlighted Afghanistan’s recent earthquake, urging humanitarian aid over expulsion. Additionally, he instructed Gandapur to resist military operations and drone strikes in KP, arguing they exacerbate local hardships, especially amid recent floods, and contribute to rising terrorism. Khan noted that “many police personnel have embraced martyrdom” due to ongoing violence.
The directive follows Gandapur’s earlier proposals on Thursday, September 5, 2025, to lead a tribal jirga to Kabul if federal authorities denied permission for peace talks. According to the KP Chief Minister’s Office, Gandapur has consistently advocated dialogue to address cross-border issues, citing KP’s heavy losses, including 1,000 martyred police officers.
Federal and Provincial Tensions
Khan’s call for Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul peace talks 2025 has drawn criticism from federal authorities. The Foreign Office, on Thursday, September 5, 2025, reiterated that foreign policy is a federal domain. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif labelled Gandapur’s earlier proposal to bypass the Centre as an “attack on the federation.” Former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, on Saturday, September 14, 2024, called the idea of provinces pursuing independent foreign policies “idiotic,” citing constitutional limits.
In response, PTI’s KP Information Minister Barrister Saif defended Gandapur, noting that post-18th Amendment, provinces can engage in government-to-government agreements. He cited past instances where Punjab’s then-Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif negotiated trade deals abroad. Khan himself dismissed the Foreign Office’s role, stating on Friday, September 13, 2024, that “KP is the province most affected by terrorism,” justifying direct provincial action.
Broader PTI Concerns
Beyond the Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul peace talks 2025, PTI raised alarms over Bushra Bibi’s health, Khan’s wife, detained in Adiala Jail. According to PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram, prison authorities have blocked her access to private medical specialists despite court orders, with Khan reporting her severe illness. PTI plans to petition the Supreme Court for her treatment. Additionally, Khan directed PTI to join protests against a recent suicide bombing at a Balochistan political rally, showing solidarity with affected regions.
Separately, Rawalpindi police escalated a case against PTI leaders, including Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, by adding Section 21 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 over an alleged assault on a journalist outside Adiala Jail. Two suspects have been arrested, with raids ongoing. The incident followed an earlier event on Friday, September 5, 2025, where two PTI supporters were detained for throwing eggs at Aleema Khan during a media talk.
Background on KP-Afghanistan Dynamics
KP’s border with Afghanistan, spanning 2,640 km along the contested Durand Line, has long been a hotspot for militancy, particularly since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Kabul. The TTP, allegedly operating from Afghan soil, has intensified attacks in KP, with 1,000 police fatalities reported. Previous federal talks with the Taliban, including those hosted by Sirajuddin Haqqani in 2022, yielded no lasting ceasefire. Gandapur’s push for direct talks, backed by Khan, builds on earlier provincial efforts, such as a planned delegation of tribal elders announced on Wednesday, January 21, 2025, to address security issues.
Khan’s tenure as prime minister saw reduced terrorism, which he attributes to better Afghan ties. However, relations have since strained due to border skirmishes and TTP activities, with Pakistan accusing Kabul of inaction. The deportation of Afghan refugees, ongoing since 2024, has further soured ties, complicating the context for Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul peace talks 2025.
What’s Next for Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul Peace Talks 2025
The success of Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul peace talks 2025 hinges on federal approval and Taliban cooperation. Gandapur’s planned visit, potentially within weeks, could open new dialogue channels but risks escalating tensions with Islamabad if deemed unconstitutional. Continued monitoring of KP’s security and federal responses will be critical, as will diplomatic efforts to balance humanitarian and security priorities in the Imran Khan Gandapur Kabul peace talks 2025 initiative.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 10th, 2025
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