Uncertainty Over Turkiye’s High-Level Pakistan Visit Casts Shadows on Afghan Peace Efforts

Concerns are mounting over regional stability as doubts grow around a promised high-profile visit by Turkiye’s top leadership to Pakistan for Afghan peace discussions. More than a week has passed since Ankara announced the visit, yet no clarity has emerged from either side.

Turkiye has played a central role in recent months, hosting the last two rounds of Afghanistan–Pakistan peace talks in Istanbul. These efforts stem from the Doha understanding, where both Kabul and Islamabad agreed to explore mechanisms for a sustained truce. Qatar has also been co-mediating these negotiations.

According to an official statement issued on November 9, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had stated that Turkiye’s Foreign and Defence Ministers, along with its Intelligence Chief, were expected to travel to Pakistan in the week ending November 16 to discuss Islamabad’s stalled ceasefire talks with Kabul. But with no confirmation of the visit, uncertainty has only deepened.

Afghanistan’s Tolo News reported that neither Pakistan nor Turkiye has issued any updates, prompting analysts to say the silence reflects the complexity of the dispute. Some believe that if the visit took place, discussions may be happening privately; if not, it could signal significant disagreements between the two governments.

Meanwhile, Russian state media cited Moscow’s appeal for Kabul and Islamabad to resolve their differences through political and diplomatic channels. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, reiterated that regional stability remains a priority for both Moscow and the broader international community.

Iran too has stepped in. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently expressed Tehran’s intent to host a regional meeting aimed at easing tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed the proposal.

The international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly flagged concerns over the escalating clashes and the presence of militant groups along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, marked by the disputed Durand Line. Sporadic skirmishes, border raids, and rising hostility have made the situation increasingly volatile.

Earlier in October, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika, claiming to target terror groups. Afghanistan responded sharply, launching retaliatory attacks across multiple border points. Although initial mediation by Qatar and Turkiye resulted in a temporary truce, subsequent rounds collapsed amid mutual accusations of unreasonable demands.

Tolo News quoted political analyst Barna Salehi, who argued that without the involvement of major powers such as the US, Russia, and China, the border dispute is unlikely to see a lasting resolution.

With the failure of the earlier Doha–Istanbul process, renewed diplomatic efforts continue—but so far, none have produced a breakthrough. The delay in Turkiye’s anticipated visit has only intensified questions about the future of regional peace initiatives.

With inputs from IANS