Pakistan-Afghan Talks Collapse Without Agreement
Efforts to mend strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have once again hit a wall, as the latest round of peace talks ended without any agreement on tackling cross-border terrorism. Senior officials confirmed that the dialogue failed to produce a breakthrough on the issue of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants allegedly operating from Afghan soil.
The third round of negotiations, held over two days beginning Thursday, ended in deadlock. Pakistani officials were unable to secure a written assurance from Kabul that it would act against TTP fighters accused of launching attacks inside Pakistan.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking to a private television channel on Friday night, said the discussions had been “suspended indefinitely,” with no plan for a fourth round. “There is a complete deadlock. The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase,” he said, as quoted by Geo News.
Asif expressed gratitude to Turkiye and Qatar for mediating between the two countries, acknowledging their “sincere efforts” to defuse tensions. “They supported our position. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us verbally, but they refused to sign anything in writing,” he said. Pakistan, he added, would only accept a formal, written agreement rather than verbal assurances.
“The mediators tried their best, but it became clear that there was no progress. If they had seen even a glimmer of hope, they would have asked us to stay. Our return empty-handed shows that even they have lost hope in Kabul’s willingness to move forward,” Asif remarked.
He reiterated Pakistan’s stance, emphasizing that the country’s demand remained straightforward. “Our only request is that Afghan soil should not be used for attacks against Pakistan,” he said. He warned that Pakistan would defend itself if provoked, stating, “If there is any attack from Afghan territory, we will respond appropriately. But as long as there is no aggression, the ceasefire will hold.”
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also weighed in on Saturday, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that the responsibility lies squarely with the Afghan Taliban to fulfill their international, regional, and bilateral commitments to curb terrorism — obligations he said they have repeatedly failed to meet.
“Pakistan bears no hostility toward the Afghan people,” Tarar wrote. “However, it will never support any actions by the Taliban regime that harm the interests of Afghanistan’s own citizens or those of neighboring countries.” He reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to protect its sovereignty and people.
The peace initiative began on October 29 in Doha, with Qatar and Turkiye acting as mediators following deadly border clashes between October 11 and 15 that claimed lives on both sides. The first meeting concluded without any progress, leading to a second round in Istanbul on October 25, which also ended inconclusively. The most recent talks, held in Doha, have now suffered the same fate, leaving both nations stuck in a cycle of tension and mistrust.