A high-level delegation from Türkiye, led by the head of the country’s intelligence agency, is set to travel to Islamabad next week to engage with Pakistani officials over ongoing security concerns and stalled negotiations with the Taliban. Türkiye’s ambassador to Pakistan, İrfan Neziroğlu, confirmed on Friday that the delegation would include the director of Türkiye’s intelligence organisation along with several senior officials. Türkiye’s energy minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, will also be part of the team, reflecting Ankara’s dual focus on security and strategic cooperation.
The planned visit was first indicated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his recent meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku. Ambassador Neziroğlu highlighted that Türkiye’s involvement underscores its commitment to regional stability and the prevention of cross-border terrorism. “Türkiye wants to ensure that no individual or group uses Afghan territory to enter Pakistan and carry out terrorist attacks. Our aim is for the two neighbouring countries to live ‘as brothers,’” he said, emphasizing Ankara’s readiness to assist in achieving this goal.
Diplomatic observers note that the Turkish initiative follows the failure of three rounds of direct negotiations between Pakistan and the Taliban, held in Doha and Istanbul under the joint mediation of Türkiye and Qatar. Despite these efforts, no breakthrough has been achieved, leaving tensions and mistrust unresolved.
Other regional powers have also shown interest in mediating the ongoing disputes. Iran and Russia are reportedly seeking to facilitate dialogue between Pakistan and the Taliban, with Iran planning a regional meeting specifically aimed at easing the rising tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The talks come amid a backdrop of strained diplomatic and trade relations between Islamabad and the Taliban authorities. While the Taliban are actively seeking to expand diplomatic and economic ties with other countries, including India and Iran, Pakistan has maintained a firm stance. Islamabad has repeatedly stated that normalization of relations will only be possible if the Taliban demonstrate genuine cooperation and take tangible measures against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Recent developments indicate that the Taliban are attempting to diversify their trade routes to reduce reliance on Pakistan. The Taliban commerce minister, currently on a visit to India, has also been in discussions with Iranian authorities to explore the increased use of Iranian ports such as Chabahar and Bandar Abbas as alternatives to Karachi and other Pakistani ports. Analysts suggest that these moves reflect the Taliban’s efforts to offset the economic impact of tensions with Islamabad, while also seeking to assert strategic autonomy in regional commerce.
The upcoming Turkish delegation’s visit is being closely watched by Islamabad as a critical opportunity to reinforce security cooperation and facilitate dialogue with the Taliban. Pakistan’s government has repeatedly underscored the importance of concrete action by the Taliban against cross-border militancy as a precondition for normalized bilateral relations.
In addition to security discussions, the delegation is expected to explore areas of strategic collaboration between Pakistan and Türkiye, including counterterrorism initiatives, energy cooperation, and regional stability measures. Observers note that Türkiye’s involvement is likely to add diplomatic weight to Pakistan’s position, given Ankara’s growing influence in regional security affairs and its active engagement with Afghanistan in recent years.
As the situation unfolds, Islamabad remains firm on its stance: sustainable relations with the Taliban are contingent upon credible steps to prevent Afghan territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks on Pakistani soil. Pakistan continues to maintain robust border security and surveillance operations to mitigate risks posed by militant groups, while engaging regional and international partners to find lasting solutions.
The Turkish delegation’s visit is expected to serve as a pivotal juncture in these efforts, with Pakistan emphasizing that dialogue, security cooperation, and tangible counterterrorism measures are the essential prerequisites for any meaningful normalization with the Taliban regime.
