Informed sources in Kabul told Afghanistan International that a Taliban delegation led by Abdul Haq Wasiq, head of the group’s intelligence agency, will travel to Istanbul on Wednesday, 5 November, for the third round of talks with Pakistan.

According to the reports, Asim Malik, the head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), will lead the Pakistani delegation.

The third round of negotiations, aimed at easing tensions between the two sides, is scheduled for Thursday, 6 November, in Istanbul and will be mediated by Türkiye and Qatar.

The first round of talks between the Taliban and Pakistan was held in Qatar, while the second round took place in Istanbul and ended without progress due to disagreements.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, confirmed to the Taliban-controlled National Television that a delegation led by Abdul Haq Wasiq will depart for Istanbul on Wednesday.

The second round concluded with an agreement to extend the ceasefire, but the sides failed to agree on key issues including Pakistan’s demand that the Taliban provide written guarantees preventing terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.

Pakistani officials allege that militant groups, particularly Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghan soil. They have sought written assurances from the Taliban to curb TTP activities. The Taliban deny the presence of any foreign militants in Afghanistan and refuse to issue such guarantees.