Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul, sources say

Afghanistan and Pakistan will restart peace talks in Istanbul, three sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday, a day after Islamabad said the discussions had failed.

Two of the sources stated that the nations had agreed to recommence talks at the request of the host nation, Turkey. Negotiation teams from both countries are currently in Istanbul, according to two sources.

The Afghan Taliban and Pakistan's military and foreign office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Dozens were killed this month along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the worst such violence since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.

Both nations agreed to a ceasefire brokered in Doha on Oct 19, but could not find common ground in a second round of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar in Istanbul, Afghan and Pakistani sources briefed on the issue told Reuters on Tuesday.