The third round of direct Afghanistan-Pakistan talks, held on November 7, 2025 (17 Aqrab 1404) in Istanbul, Türkiye, had ended with both sides agreeing to extend the ceasefire.
Kabul 24: Yet, late last night, the Pakistani military once again launched airstrikes and artillery shelling on several border areas in Afghanistan’s Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces.
The attacks killed and wounded civilians, including children, marking yet another blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement by Islamabad.Japan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Kenichi Masamoto, reacted swiftly.
In an interview with TOLOnews, he stated: “Afghanistan and Pakistan are important neighboring countries, and we sincerely hope that tensions will decrease and a lasting ceasefire will be established.
Japan is closely monitoring the situation and, when the opportunity arises, we will engage with the international community and our Afghan counterparts on the importance of continuing negotiations.”At the same time, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, revealed that a high-level Turkish delegation will travel to Islamabad—and possibly Kabul—in the coming days to work on a binding agreement. Under this proposed deal, neither country would allow its territory to be used against the other.
In a post on his X account, Khalilzad wrote: “The agreement could include the establishment of a joint monitoring and operations center, most likely based in Ankara, staffed by officials from Türkiye, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
This center would not only monitor compliance but also act immediately to resolve any reported or alleged violations.”Political analysts emphasize that shared geography and the strong influence of tribal elders on both sides of the Durand Line make a military solution impossible.
Political commentator Moin Gul Samkani stressed: “We cannot change our geography.
The only viable path is to convene a grand Loya Jirga with influential white-beards and tribal leaders from both sides so that practical proposals can be presented and this decades-old problem finally resolved.”Despite intensified regional and international efforts in recent weeks to reduce tensions, Pakistan’s latest attack has cast serious doubt over the future of Kabul–Islamabad relations.
All eyes are now on the Taliban’s response and the outcome of the upcoming Turkish delegation’s visit.
