Journalism of Courage
Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul ended without an agreement, with both sides accusing each other of causing the breakdown in negotiations aimed at easing border tensions and upholding a fragile ceasefire, officials told the Associated Press (AP) on Saturday.
The two-day discussions, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, were the third round of peace talks and one of the most significant diplomatic efforts between the neighbours since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed to the private Geo News channel that the “talks are over” and that the Pakistani delegation was returning home with “no plan for any future meetings.” He added that the ceasefire would continue “as long as it is not violated from the Afghan side.”
Afghanistan’s government spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, blamed Islamabad for the talks’ failure, reported AP, saying that “Pakistan’s demands in the negotiations were unreasonable and the talks could not proceed. The meeting ended and the talks are at a standstill for now.”
Speaking from the southern Afghan city of Kandahar on Saturday, Mujahid said Afghanistan “does not want insecurity in the region, and entering into war is not our first choice,” but added that “if war breaks out, we have the right to defend ourselves.” He also added that Afghanistan “will not allow anyone to use its territory against another country, nor permit actions that undermine its sovereignty or security.”
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of providing shelter to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a surge in attacks inside Pakistan since 2021. Kabul denies the allegations, saying it does not permit its territory to be used against other countries.
Mujahid rejected suggestions that Afghanistan bears responsibility for TTP attacks, saying the group’s creation long predated the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul.
Asif said the Afghan delegation had come “without any program” and refused to sign a written agreement, insisting only on verbal assurances. “There is no plan or hope for any fourth round of talks. Talks have entered an indefinite pause.”
The breakdown in talks came a day after Afghan officials reported that four civilians were killed and five others wounded in cross-border clashes despite the ongoing negotiations.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s military said it carried out airstrikes on TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan, killing dozens of people described as insurgents. Afghan officials denied the claim, saying civilians were among the dead and that Afghan forces had retaliated by striking Pakistani military posts, killing 58 soldiers. Pakistan’s military said it lost 23 troops in the fighting.
The violence prompted Qatar to broker a ceasefire on Oct 19, which has largely held despite sporadic clashes.
Since the flare-up in tensions, Pakistan has closed all its border crossings with Afghanistan. Although the main Torkham crossing was partially reopened last week to allow stranded Afghan refugees to return home, trade and travel remain heavily restricted. The closure, imposed on Oct 12, has disrupted vital trade and transit routes, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded on both sides of the border and cutting off one of the busiest economic corridors linking South and Central Asia.
At the same time, Pakistan is continuing a nationwide campaign to deport undocumented foreigners, most of them Afghans, reported AP. Authorities say more than a million Afghan nationals have been sent back since 2023 as part of the repatriation drive.
(With inputs from agencies)
