Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey Seek to Mediate Between Taliban and Pakistan.
Sources confirm that Saudi Arabia has offered to mediate between the Taliban and Pakistan. Previously, Iran had also expressed willingness to help reduce tensions between the two sides. A high-level Turkish delegation is scheduled to travel to Pakistan next week to facilitate talks between Islamabad and the Taliban.
These developments come as Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Sama TV that past negotiations with the Taliban had worsened security crises in Pakistan.
He warned that the threat of conflict with India remains serious and that some past strategic decisions, including Pakistani officials’ trips to Kabul and friendly meetings with Taliban leaders, had increased Taliban influence and expanded proxy conflicts within Pakistan.
Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan have faced unprecedented tensions in recent months, and two rounds of talks in Istanbul ended without results. Meanwhile, ongoing disputes have led to the closure of five key border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, disrupting travel and trade.
