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Afghan delegation finalized for key Istanbul talks with Pakistan
On the Pakistani side, Asim Malik, director general of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is expected to head the delegation.
An Afghan delegation has been finalized for high-level talks with Pakistan set to take place in Istanbul this week, sources confirmed to Ariana News.
According to information obtained by Ariana News, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, and will be led by Abdul Haq Wasiq, head of Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI).
Other members of the Afghan delegation include Anas Haqqani, senior member of the Islamic Emirate; Rahmatullah Najib, deputy minister of interior; Abdul Qahar Balkhi, director general for political affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Zakir Jalali, second deputy director for political affairs; and Sohail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Qatar.
On the Pakistani side, Asim Malik, director general of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is expected to head the delegation.
The Istanbul talks come at a critical time in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations, following months of heightened border tensions, cross-border attacks, and mutual accusations. Islamabad has repeatedly claimed that militant groups responsible for attacks in Pakistan are operating from Afghan territory—allegations the Islamic Emirate firmly denies.
Earlier discussions between the two countries resulted in a temporary ceasefire after a series of violent border clashes. The upcoming Istanbul meeting is expected to build on those efforts, focusing on a framework for long-term security cooperation, border management, and regional stability.
Analysts say the talks could serve as an important step toward easing friction between the two neighbors, whose cooperation remains vital for regional peace and counterterrorism efforts.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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