Islamabad, November 22, 2025: A high-level delegation from Turkiye is expected to arrive in Islamabad next week as part of Ankara’s efforts to defuse rising tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban regime in Kabul and to explore avenues for restoring peace.
The development was confirmed by Turkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, during a reception marking Oman’s National Day. The visit was first hinted at by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku.
According to Ambassador Neziroglu — who played a central role in facilitating the Istanbul trilateral talks on Afghanistan — the delegation will include Turkiye’s intelligence chief and key cabinet ministers. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar is also scheduled to join the visit.
“Turkiye is committed to ensuring that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan,” Neziroglu said. “Both nations should coexist peacefully like brothers, and Turkiye is determined to help make this possible.”
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul spiked after Taliban forces, along with militants from the India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistani territory on October 12.
Pakistan’s Armed Forces retaliated with what officials described as a “decisive response,” killing more than 200 militants. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the clashes.
Security forces later carried out precision strikes on militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Kabul regions, as well as in border districts of North and South Waziristan, destroying several strongholds linked to TTP and allied groups.
Efforts to ease tensions have so far produced limited progress. A temporary ceasefire was agreed on October 19 during talks in Doha, followed by another round of meetings in Istanbul. However, officials say the Kabul administration has failed to address Islamabad’s longstanding concerns over cross-border terrorism.
The upcoming Turkish delegation’s visit is seen as Ankara’s renewed push to bring both sides back to the negotiating table and prevent further deterioration of regional stability.
