ISLAMABAD: Türkiye is gearing up for a high-level diplomatic push, sending some of its most senior officials to Pakistan next week as tensions with Afghanistan continue to simmer. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, and intelligence chief İbrahim Kâlın will travel to Islamabad for urgent consultations, signalling Ankara’s intent to play a more assertive role in easing the regional standoff.
The visit comes at a sensitive moment, following stalled negotiations in Istanbul between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. Despite several rounds of dialogue, Pakistan maintains that the talks failed to secure meaningful commitments on counterterrorism and border management. Officials in Islamabad have repeatedly stressed that discussions cannot continue in a vacuum without “verifiable action” from Kabul’s side.
Sources familiar with the process say Pakistan expects stronger guarantees on the movement of militants across the border and wants the Afghan authorities to take tangible steps that go beyond temporary understandings. Conversely, the Afghan Taliban delegation has criticised Pakistan’s expectations as “unrealistic,” deepening the diplomatic deadlock.
Türkiye’s involvement adds a new layer to the situation. Ankara, which has built strategic ties across South and Central Asia, appears poised to act as a facilitator between the two uneasy neighbours. Analysts note that this move not only reflects Türkiye’s broader regional ambitions but also underscores Pakistan’s willingness to explore external mediation after bilateral efforts failed to break the impasse.
Diplomatic observers believe the upcoming meetings in Islamabad could shape the next chapter of Pakistan-Afghanistan engagement. If Türkiye manages to nudge both sides toward a workable framework, it may recalibrate power dynamics in the region. If not, the stalemate may harden, leaving all sides grappling with rising security, economic, and diplomatic consequences.
As preparations intensify for the Turkish delegation’s arrival, the region watches closely, waiting to see whether the latest diplomatic surge brings clarity or only adds another layer to an already tangled crisis.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.