Islamabad dismisses Afghan Taliban's misleading remarks over Istanbul talks

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan has rejected as misleading the recent statement issued by a spokesperson of the Afghan Taliban regarding the Istanbul negotiations, terming it a distortion of facts.

According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Afghan Taliban’s spokesperson misrepresented the details of the Istanbul talks. The ministry stated that Pakistan had demanded the arrest of terrorists operating from Afghan soil, adding that in response to the Afghan side’s claim, Islamabad immediately offered to take custody of the suspects.

The ministry emphasised that Pakistan’s position on counterterrorism remains clear, consistent, and well-documented. Any form of misrepresentation or false narrative directed against Pakistan, it said, was unacceptable.

Pakistan rejects deliberate twisting of facts attributed to Afghan spokesperson regarding Istanbul talks.
Pakistan had demanded that terrorists in Afghanistan posing a threat to Pakistan be controlled or arrested.
When the Afghan side said that they were Pakistani nationals, pic.twitter.com/m8fvr29HXK

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) November 1, 2025

Pakistan underscored that its approach has always been transparent and in accordance with established protocols. The ministry reiterated that Islamabad’s communications with Kabul have consistently reflected the same policy, which centres on regional stability and the elimination of cross-border terrorism.

Responding to what it described as baseless assertions by the Afghan side, Pakistan clarified that the claims contradict factual records of the talks. The ministry stressed that the extradition or handover of individuals could only be carried out through recognised border entry points, as per existing mechanisms between the two countries.