Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks collapse, ceasefire continues
Efforts to secure a lasting peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan have suffered a major setback after the latest round of negotiations in Istanbul collapsed, though both countries have agreed to continue observing the fragile ceasefire reached earlier this month.
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday that the talks failed because Islamabad demanded Kabul take responsibility for Pakistan’s internal security, a condition he called “unrealistic and beyond Afghanistan’s capacity.” Despite the deadlock, Mujahid confirmed that the ceasefire remains in effect and that Afghan forces have “not violated the agreement so far.”
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also confirmed the breakdown, saying the discussions had ended without a breakthrough but adding that the truce would hold “as long as no attacks are launched from Afghan territory.” The talks, held under Turkish and Qatari mediation, were aimed at preventing a resurgence of border clashes that have strained relations in recent months.
Tensions flared again last week when Pakistani and Afghan forces exchanged fire along the Durand Line, coinciding with the resumption of peace talks. The violence marked another flashpoint following the deadly October border clashes, which killed dozens of troops on both sides — the worst since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after meeting Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku on Saturday, urged both sides to maintain dialogue, saying Turkey would continue to support diplomatic efforts “toward lasting regional stability.”
The October fighting was triggered after Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan, reportedly targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders whom Islamabad accuses of carrying out cross-border attacks. The Taliban government, however, condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty.
Once close allies, Islamabad and Kabul’s ties have deteriorated sharply, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban of harbouring militant groups responsible for attacks on its soil. Despite the collapse of the Istanbul talks, officials from both sides say backchannel communications remain open, and further negotiations could be scheduled if the current ceasefire holds.
Analysts warn that unless both governments establish a credible joint security mechanism, the fragile peace could unravel, reigniting hostilities in a region already burdened by terrorism, economic crises, and political instability.
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