Pakistan on Saturday conveyed to the Afghan Taliban that if terrorist attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Fitna al-Khawarij cease, Islamabad will also show restraint in its response, according to official sources.

The message was conveyed during the first round of Pakistan-Afghan Taliban talks in Doha, which concluded on Saturday with both sides agreeing to continue discussions on Sunday.

The talks, mediated by Qatar, are being held on a single-point agenda: preventing cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil and restoring peace and stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Pakistan’s high-level delegation is led by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, while the Afghan side is represented by Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob.

The dialogue comes amid heightened tensions following repeated cross-border attacks by Khawarij terrorists targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Diplomatic sources said Pakistan took a firm stance during the session, warning that terrorist attacks from Afghan territory would not be tolerated.

Islamabad, however, assured that if the Afghan Taliban took credible steps to curb such incidents, Pakistan would reciprocate with restraint.

Pakistan also called on the Kabul administration to take verifiable action against militant outfits such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), both accused of using Afghan territory for planning and executing attacks inside Pakistan.

According to the Foreign Office, the Pakistani delegation emphasised that Islamabad does not seek confrontation with Afghanistan but expects the Taliban leadership to honour its international commitments and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.

Both sides had earlier agreed to a temporary 48-hour ceasefire during the talks to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue.

The Foreign Office spokesperson appreciated Qatar’s mediation role, describing the Doha dialogue as a positive step toward sustainable peace and regional stability.