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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s spy chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik will depart for Turkiye today, Wednesday, to resume peace negotiations with Afghanistan, state media reported as both sides look to ease tensions following fierce clashes last month. 

The fresh round of negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan was facilitated by Turkiye and other friendly nations last month. The talks followed border clashes that left dozens of soldiers, civilians and militants dead, before a temporary ceasefire was reached on Oct. 19. 

A second round of talks that started in Istanbul on Oct. 25 failed to reach a breakthrough before Turkiye announced last Thursday that the ceasefire would continue. Ankara said a follow-up meeting would be held in Istanbul on Nov. 6, which would focus on how a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure peace would be implemented. 

“Pakistan’s top intelligence official, Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, departs for Türkiye today to resume negotiations with the Afghan Taliban leadership,” Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing security sources. 

The clashes had erupted after Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan against Pakistani Taliban militants it alleges are based there and responsible for attacks on its forces. Kabul condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and denies sheltering the group. The border, which runs more than 2,600 km (1,600 miles), has long been a source of friction with frequent skirmishes and mutual accusations over militant sanctuaries.

Malik, who heads Pakistan’s premier spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), will meet Afghanistan’s interim intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq in Turkiye, Pakistan TV Digital said. 

While the fragile peace persists, Pakistan’s military and government have warned that it hinges on Kabul’s actions against cross-border militancy. 

“Pakistan’s stance has been clear, support for terrorism must end,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said last week. 

Afghan officials, meanwhile, have warned Pakistan of “reciprocal attacks” if it violates Afghanistan’s sovereignty in future. Kabul has told Islamabad it would not allow militants the use of Afghanistan’s soil to launch attacks against Pakistan.