Pakistan says peace talks with Afghanistan 'failed'
Pakistan on Wednesday announced that four days of peace talks with Afghanistan in Istanbul ended without progress, saying the negotiations “failed to bring about a workable solution.”
The discussions, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, were aimed at reaching a lasting truce following the worst border clashes between the two countries in years.
In a post on X Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the Afghan delegation “gave no assurances, kept deviating from the core issue, and resorted to blame game, deflection, and ruses.” He added that despite Pakistan’s efforts to engage in dialogue in the spirit of peace, the Afghan side failed to cooperate constructively.
“The dialogue thus failed to bring about any workable solution,” Tarar said, adding that Islamabad would now take “all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism.” He vowed that Pakistan would “decimate the terrorists, their sanctuaries, their abetters and supporters.”
The Istanbul talks came after deadly border clashes that erupted earlier this month, following a series of explosions in Kabul on October 9, which the Taliban authorities blamed on Pakistan. The fighting left dozens dead and displaced thousands along the volatile frontier.
Although both sides agreed to a short ceasefire after the clashes, tensions continued to rise over mutual accusations of harboring militant groups. Islamabad has long alleged that Afghanistan shelters the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been behind several attacks on Pakistani security forces. Afghan officials, however, deny those claims, saying they have no control over the group’s cross-border activities.
Relations between the two South Asian neighbors have sharply deteriorated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The collapse of the Istanbul talks is expected to further strain bilateral ties and could reignite violence along the 2,600-kilometre border.
There was no immediate response from the Taliban government regarding Pakistan’s statement. Diplomats from Turkey and Qatar have urged both sides to remain engaged and resume discussions to prevent further escalation.
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