ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top intelligence official, Lieutenant General Asim Malik, has arrived in Istanbul to resume negotiations with the Afghan Taliban leadership, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital on Wednesday.
Malik, the Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is expected to meet Afghanistan’s interim intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq as both sides enter the next phase of talks on the ongoing ceasefire and cross-border security arrangements.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif earlier confirmed the delegation’s travel plans and reiterated that Islamabad expects decisive action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The ceasefire was initially agreed in Doha on October 18–19 and reaffirmed during last week’s discussions in Istanbul. A principal-level meeting is scheduled for November 6 to finalize implementation details, including the establishment of a joint monitoring and verification mechanism.
Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that both sides will continue talks to address remaining issues, stressing Kabul’s desire for stable, respectful, and non-interfering bilateral relations.
Officials describe the progress as a significant move toward regional stability, while underscoring that the ceasefire remains conditional on Afghan territory not being used for attacks in Pakistan.
“This outcome reflects patience, diplomacy, and firm commitment to national interest,” one official said.
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