Afghan delegation finalized for key Istanbul talks with Pakistan

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.