In the ongoing debate about Pak-Afghan bilateralism, in the backdrop of October skirmish, we have so far discussed the IEA's covert and demonstrated hostility towards Pakistan; IEA's consequent violation of Pashtunwali, Islamic fraternity and/or good neighbourliness; Pakistan's ability to fight a '1.5 Front' Indo-Afghan aggression, a scenario best avoided; Afghanistan and CARs real geo-strategic and economic relevance; and the predicament of Haqqanis (HQN), labelled as the 'Haqqani Complexity' due to continued hosting of the TTP.

The October 25, 2025 Istanbul talks were salvaged by Türkiye and Qatar at the last moment. Turkish Foreign Ministry's presser reported: a) continuation of the ceasefire; b) discussion on the modalities of ceasefire implementation in Principal level meeting on November 6; and c) putting up a monitoring and verification mechanism for maintenance of peace. Press reports suggest Pakistan's unequivocal position comprising four main thrust lines: a) dismantling of terrorist safe havens inside Afghanistan; b) restraining and arresting TTP leaders and those of other terrorist outfits; c) curtailing IEA's logistic support to the TTP; and d) establishing a verifiable mechanism to monitor, report and check infiltration from the Afghan soil.

A related development has been a social media post by Sirajuddin Haqqani, IEA's interim interior minister, ostensibly under pressure from general public especially the governing IEA, with whom HQN is an alliance-partner. Siraj tried to wean himself away from his pro-Pakistan credentials, as HQN remained traditionally closer to Pakistan for reasons explained earlier. He echoed his ministerial spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani, and literally........

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