Peace talks with Afghanistan collapse | The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

High-stakes talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime in Istanbul on Friday ended without any breakthrough, as the Pakistani delegation headed back home.

The state media confirmed quoting sources that the Pakistani delegation led by Director General ISI Lt Gen Asim Malik began departing from Istanbul.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also confirmed that the latest round ended in a stalemate with no plans for further talks in the near future.

“The round has ended without agreement,” a security source confirmed, adding that the two sides held multiple sessions in recent days under the mediation of Turkey and Qatar.

Following the conclusion of the talks, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar issued a statement, reaffirming Pakistan’s principled stance and expressing appreciation for the mediating role of Turkey and Qatar.

“Pakistan thanks Turkey and Qatar for their facilitation during the dialogue process,” Tarar said.

“Pakistan remains firm on its position that the responsibility for controlling terrorism emanating from Afghan territory rests with Afghanistan.”

The minister stressed that Pakistan’s concerns were rooted in security and sovereignty, not hostility, and that Islamabad’s expectations from Kabul were aligned with international commitments.

Tarar further accused the Afghan Taliban government of failing to fulfill its international, regional, and bilateral obligations, including those made under the Doha Peace Agreement of 2021.

“The Afghan Taliban have, so far, failed to honour their commitments under the 2021 Doha Agreement,” Tarar stated.

The minister said that Pakistan’s engagement with the Taliban regime was guided by goodwill toward the Afghan people but warned that Islamabad would not support any actions by the Taliban government that harm the interests of Afghan citizens or neighboring countries.

“Pakistan reiterates its goodwill towards the Afghan people and its desire for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan,” he said.

“However, Pakistan will not support any measures by the Taliban government that are against the interests of the Afghan people or its neighbors.”

Reaffirming Islamabad’s resolve, Tarar said Pakistan would continue to take all necessary steps to safeguard its people and sovereignty.

“Pakistan will continue to take all essential measures for the protection of its citizens and national sovereignty,” he asserted.

The Istanbul talks were part of a broader diplomatic effort to ease worsening ties between the two neighbors.

In recent months, Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban authorities of turning a blind eye to the banned TTP sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, while Kabul has accused Islamabad of violating its airspace and imposing undue pressure.

Despite mediation by Turkiye and Qatar, sources familiar with the talks said the atmosphere in Istanbul was tense and unproductive, with the Afghan side calling Pakistan’s demands “unrealistic” and politically motivated.

With the latest round ending in stalemate, both countries appear no closer to resolving the security standoff, raising fears of further escalation along their shared border.