Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks in Istanbul end without breakthrough
Efforts to secure a lasting truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan have stalled, as peace talks in Istanbul concluded without an agreement. sources from both sides confirmed on Tuesday.
The outcome is seen as a setback for regional stability after weeks of deadly border clashes between the two countries.
The negotiations, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, sought to establish a long-term peace framework following the heaviest cross-border fighting since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. The clashes earlier this month left dozens dead and displaced hundreds along the 2,600-kilometre frontier.
Both countries had initially agreed to a temporary ceasefire brokered in Doha on October 19, but failed to reach consensus in the second round of talks. Each delegation accused the other of inflexibility and failing to fulfill previous commitments.
A Pakistani security official told reporters that the Taliban government had refused to take concrete action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a banned militant group responsible for repeated attacks inside Pakistan and allegedly operating from Afghan soil.
In contrast, an Afghan representative familiar with the discussions said tensions escalated after Islamabad demanded direct control measures against the TTP, which Kabul insists acts independently. “The talks broke down after heated exchanges. The Afghan side made it clear that it does not command the TTP,” the source said.
The latest flare-up began after Pakistani airstrikes targeted suspected TTP leaders in Kabul and other Afghan cities earlier this month. The Taliban retaliated with coordinated attacks on Pakistani military outposts, triggering the most intense border conflict in four years.
The breakdown of the Istanbul talks — closely monitored by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration — raises fears that the fragile truce could unravel. Over the weekend, five Pakistani soldiers and at least 25 TTP militants were killed in renewed skirmishes near the border, according to Pakistan’s military.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned on Saturday that while his country “remains committed to peace,” a continued stalemate could lead to “open war.”
Regional analysts say the failure in Istanbul underscores the deep mistrust between Islamabad and Kabul, despite shared interests in curbing militancy and stabilizing trade routes. The Turkey-Qatar mediation team is expected to push for a third round of dialogue in November to prevent the ceasefire from collapsing completely.
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