‘No progress, no plan’: Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of 'irresponsible' stance as peace talks collapse in Istanbul

Afghanistan slams Pakistan’s ‘unrealistic demands’ as Istanbul peace talks break down

The third round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan ended on Saturday without any agreement on tackling cross-border terrorism, with both sides trading blame for the collapse of negotiations.

The two-day discussions, held in Istanbul under the mediation of Qatar and Turkiye, were aimed at easing tensions after weeks of deadly border clashes but concluded with no breakthrough.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan of adopting an “irresponsible and uncooperative” stance during the talks. “During the discussions, the Pakistani side attempted to shift all responsibility for its security to the Afghan government, while showing no willingness to take responsibility for either Afghanistan's security or its own,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on social media.

He added that the Afghan delegation had participated “in good faith and with appropriate authority,” but Islamabad “did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan’s security or its own,” leaving mediators unable to bridge the gap.

Pakistani officials said the negotiations failed after Kabul refused to give a written commitment to act against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of launching attacks from Afghan soil.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the talks had been suspended indefinitely, saying, “There is a complete deadlock. The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase.”

Asif thanked Qatar and Turkiye for their mediation efforts but noted that even the facilitators had lost optimism.

“They support our stance. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us; however, they were not ready to sign a written agreement. They wanted verbal assurances to be accepted, which is not possible in international negotiations,” he said. Asif reiterated that Pakistan would recognise only a formal, written accord. “If there is any attack from Afghan soil, we will respond accordingly. As long as there is no aggression, the ceasefire will remain intact,” he added.

The breakdown came as tensions flared along the border, with both sides accusing each other of overnight shelling that left four Afghan civilians dead and several others injured.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said, “The onus lies on the Afghan Taliban to fulfil its long-standing international, regional, and bilateral pledges regarding control of terrorism, in which so far they have failed.”

He added that Pakistan “does not harbour any ill-will against the Afghan people” but “shall never support the Afghan Taliban regime’s any measures that are detrimental to the interests of the Afghan people as well as the neighbouring countries.”

Despite the stalemate, the Qatar-brokered ceasefire agreed on October 19 remains in place, though sporadic clashes have continued along the border. The Istanbul impasse marks the third consecutive failure in talks between the two neighbours, with no schedule set for a fourth round.