Efforts to de-escalate tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have suffered a significant setback after a third round of mediated peace talks in Istanbul ended in a “complete deadlock” on Saturday. The two-day talks (November 6 and 7), mediated by Turkey and Qatar, were aimed at addressing the mounting issue of cross-border terrorism and preventing further military escalation.
The Blame Game
The failure of the negotiations was immediately followed by counter-accusations from both capitals:
- Pakistan’s Stance: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared a “complete deadlock,” telling the media, “The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase.” Pakistan’s primary grievance, according to Asif, was the Afghan delegation’s refusal to sign a formal, written accord, instead insisting on verbal assurances only. “They wanted us to rely on verbal assurances, which is not acceptable in international diplomacy,” Asif stated, warning that Pakistan would only honor the ceasefire as long as there is no breach from the Afghan side.
- Taliban’s Stance: Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of adopting an “irresponsible and uncooperative” attitude. He stated that the Pakistani delegation “attempted to refer all responsibilities regarding its security to the Afghan government, while at the same time it did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan’s security or its own.”
Security Concerns and Renewed Clashes
The negotiations focused intensely on Pakistan’s demand that the Afghan government take verifiable action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants allegedly using Afghan soil for attacks inside Pakistan—a claim Kabul consistently denies.
Adding to the tension, the collapse of talks came amid reports of renewed fighting. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the stalemate shortly after an Afghan official reported that overnight clashes along the shared border resulted in the deaths of four Afghan civilians and wounded five others.
The Taliban reiterated its commitment to its principled position: “It will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor will it permit any country to use its territory to take actions against or support actions that undermine Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, independence, or security.”
The failure of the Istanbul talks marks another significant setback in the struggle to establish stability between the two neighbors, who have been plagued by border clashes and mutual mistrust since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.