ISLAMABAD: Khawaja Asif optimistic about Qatar-Turkey mediation efforts emerged on Saturday as Pakistan and Afghanistan extended their ceasefire following Istanbul talks. The defence minister voiced hopes for a positive outcome from the process led by Qatar and Turkiye, amid heightened tensions over militancy and deportations. Speaking in Sialkot, Asif highlighted national unity in pursuing diplomatic resolution. The agreement, brokered on 30 October 2025, sets a principal-level meeting for 6 November in Istanbul to finalise implementation.
This development carries profound implications for South Asia’s security landscape. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have long fuelled instability, with cross-border attacks by groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claiming hundreds of lives annually in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A successful mediation could curb militancy spillover, stabilise trade routes worth billions in annual commerce, and ease refugee pressures on Pakistan, home to over 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees. Failure risks escalation, drawing in regional powers and exacerbating humanitarian crises in an already volatile belt from Kabul to Islamabad.
Asif Positive Outcome Turkey Qatar Talks Boost Diplomatic Hopes
Khawaja Asif optimistic about Qatar Turkey mediation took centre stage during his address to Geo News on 1 November 2025. He praised the mediators’ role, stating, “Turkiye and Qatar are playing a constructive mediatory role in the dialogue.” Asif expressed optimism that these efforts would yield positive results, preferring “civilised relations” between the neighbours over confrontation.
The talks in Istanbul, spanning 25-30 October 2025, built on a Doha-brokered truce from 18-19 October. A joint statement from Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed all parties agreed to continue the ceasefire. It outlined a monitoring and verification mechanism to enforce compliance, with penalties for violations. “All parties have agreed on continuation of ceasefire,” the statement noted.
Asif positive outcome Turkey Qatar talks sentiment echoed in official circles. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi, during a 31 October briefing, affirmed, “Pakistan would continue to remain engaged in the mediation process and hopes for a positive outcome for the 6th November talks [in Istanbul].” He thanked Qatar and Turkiye for their “efforts toward an amicable and peaceful resolution.”
Details from the negotiations reveal a breakthrough on accountability. A clause now holds Afghanistan responsible for illegal activities originating from its soil, including TTP attacks. Asif clarified, “Previously, Afghanistan refused to acknowledge responsibility for its nationals residing illegally in Pakistan… Now, the matter has gained international ownership.” This marks the first time the Afghan nationals issue has reached global forums.
Tensions trace to 11 October 2025, when repatriation of Afghan families halted amid border clashes at Torkham. Skirmishes killed dozens, prompting Pakistan to seal all borders for trade and travel by 19 October. A Doha ceasefire quelled immediate fighting, but accusations persisted. Asif rejected Kabul’s claims of Pakistani aggression, asserting, “There has been no hostile activity from our side; the ceasefire violations are being committed by Afghanistan.”
The defence minister underscored Pakistan’s restraint. “The entire nation, including political leaders and state institutions, stands united and wants an immediate resolution to the Afghan issue. The only solution is for Afghanistan to end terrorism originating from its soil.” He warned of evidence linking India to proxy warfare via Afghan soil since the Ashraf Ghani era, claiming, “If necessary, we will present proof.”
Pakistan Afghanistan Ceasefire Mediation 2025 Gains Momentum
Pakistan Afghanistan ceasefire mediation 2025 entered a critical phase with the Istanbul accord. Official data from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirms the extension, noting Turkiye’s joint statement release on 31 October. “Further modalities of the implementation will be discussed and decided in a Principal level meeting in Istanbul on the sixth of next month,” it stated.
The mechanism includes verification protocols to track violations, a step Asif hailed as essential for trust-building. Pakistan reported 1,500 terrorist incidents in 2024-2025, many traced to Afghan sanctuaries, per Inter-Services Public Relations data. Deportations of undocumented Afghans, numbering over 500,000 since September 2023, continue unabated. The Torkham crossing reopened solely for expulsions, with trade halted costing PKR 2.5 billion daily in lost revenue.
Afghan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the talks’ end, pledging future engagement without detailing optimism. A senior Pakistani security official, speaking anonymously, called the understanding a “welcome step” but conditional on Kabul’s actions against militants.
Broader context involves regional dynamics. Turkiye and Qatar, leveraging ties with both Islamabad and Kabul, facilitated the Doha truce after clashes escalated. Qatar hosted initial parleys, drawing on its Taliban diplomatic channels established post-2021. Turkiye, with historical Afghan engagements, provided neutral ground in Istanbul.
Asif positive outcome Turkey Qatar talks reflects a shift from earlier deadlock. Four days of prior discussions collapsed when Taliban delegates balked at verifiable TTP curbs. Resumption came at mediators’ urging, underscoring their leverage. “As mediators, Türkiye and Qatar express their appreciation for the active contribution of both parties and stand ready to continue cooperation,” per the joint statement.
Humanitarian angles loom large. Over 600,000 Afghans face repatriation, straining Pakistan’s resources amid economic woes. The World Bank estimates PKR 500 million in annual costs for refugee support. A stable ceasefire could revive the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, facilitating 80 per cent of Afghan exports via Pakistani ports.
Critics note risks. X posts from analysts highlight Taliban’s “devious mindset,” echoing Asif’s 29 October warning: “We have borne your treachery… but no more.” Yet, official tones prioritise dialogue.
Background of Qatar-Turkey Mediation
Pakistan-Afghanistan frictions intensified post-Taliban takeover in 2021, with TTP resurgence claiming 800 lives in Pakistan by mid-2025. Border fencing, 90 per cent complete at 2,600 km, sparked clashes. Deportation drives, launched October 2023, deported 1.7 million by September 2025, per Interior Ministry figures. Previous mediations, like 2023 truces, faltered over enforcement.
India’s alleged role adds layers. Asif accused New Delhi of fuelling instability to pin Pakistan on dual fronts, citing “setbacks” on the Line of Control. “The losses Pakistan has suffered over the past five decades are collective losses of both nations,” he reflected.
What’s Next
The 6 November meeting will test commitments. Success hinges on drafting enforceable terms, potentially involving UN observers. Asif positive outcome Turkey Qatar talks could pave for visa resumption and trade thaw by year-end, analysts predict.
Khawaja Asif optimistic about Qatar Turkey mediation endures as a beacon, urging both sides toward enduring peace. With stakes high, the region watches Istanbul closely.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 2nd, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
