ISLAMABAD – Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has made it clear that Pakistan is not holding negotiations with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), underlining that the government’s engagement is strictly with the Afghan Taliban authorities.
Speaking in a televised interview on Monday, Asif said Pakistan’s dialogue is confined to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA).
“We will never talk with the TTP,”
he stated firmly, ruling out any possibility of direct contact with the banned group.
The minister confirmed that Islamabad maintains informal diplomatic channels with Kabul. He shared details of a recent round of talks in Doha, which he led, describing the atmosphere as “cordial” and free of hostility. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul, where more detailed discussions are expected.
Asif also rejected a draft ceasefire agreement circulating on social media, calling it “fabricated.” He clarified that the actual document was brief, consisting of only four paragraphs. Despite earlier concerns about the fragility of the truce, he said his outlook had shifted to “guarded optimism,” noting that more voices within Afghanistan were now supporting peace efforts.
The defense minister cautioned that any violation of the agreement could trigger escalation, warning that both the TTP and India were attempting to undermine the process. He further dismissed Afghan Taliban claims that the TTP was operating from Pakistani soil, reiterating that the group’s leadership, infrastructure, and training camps were based inside Afghanistan, an issue Pakistan intends to raise again in the upcoming talks.
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar on October 15, came after a week of border clashes sparked by militant attacks on Pakistani military posts. Initially, the truce began with a 48-hour pause in hostilities, later extended as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the situation.