Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime are holding talks in Istanbul, with Islamabad maintaining a single-point agenda, ensuring Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan.

The second round of the Istanbul talks is being mediated by Turkey and Qatar.

Discussions are focused on establishing a verifiable mechanism to control cross-border militant activities, officials familiar with the talks said.

The Afghan Taliban delegation includes intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq, deputy interior minister Haji Najib, senior Taliban leader Anas Haqqani, and Afghanistan’s ambassador to Qatar Suhail Shaheen, among others. The Pakistani delegation also comprises senior civil and military officials.

During last week’s round of talks, both sides agreed in principle to develop a credible and effective system to prevent militant infiltration across the border.

The ongoing round aims to finalise that mechanism under Turkish and Qatari mediation.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to take concrete action against groups operating from Afghan territory.