Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Talks Collapse: No Agreement on Cross-Border Terrorism Issues

Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks commenced on Thursday and continued for two days but concluded without any breakthrough.

Islamabad:

Peace negotiations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban concluded without reaching any agreement on addressing the critical issue of cross-border terrorism as the stalemate continued, according to senior officials.

The third round of discussions began on Thursday and lasted for two days but failed to secure a written commitment from Kabul to take action against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who are accused of launching attacks against Pakistan from Afghan territory.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif informed a private television channel on Friday night that the negotiations had been suspended, with "no program for the fourth round of talks".

"There is a complete deadlock. The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase," he stated, as reported by Geo TV.

The minister expressed gratitude to Turkiye and Qatar for their "sincere efforts" to mediate tensions between the neighboring countries.

"They support our stance. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us; however, they were not ready to sign a written agreement," he remarked, adding that Pakistan would only accept a formal, written accord.

"They wanted verbal assurances to be accepted, which is not possible in international negotiations," he observed.

Asif mentioned that the mediators had made their best efforts but eventually lost hope.

"If they had even a little optimism, they would have asked us to stay. Our return empty-handed shows that even they have given up on Kabul," he explained.

The minister reiterated that Pakistan's position remained firm and clear.

"Our only demand is that Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used for attacks on Pakistan," he emphasized.

He warned that Pakistan would respond if provoked.

"If there is any attack from Afghan soil, we will respond accordingly," he stated, adding that as long as there is no aggression, the ceasefire will remain intact.

Separately, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated on X on Saturday morning that the responsibility lies with the Afghan Taliban to fulfill its long-standing international, regional, and bilateral commitments regarding control of terrorism, in which they have thus far failed.

"Pakistan does not harbour any ill-will against the Afghan people. However, it 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," Tarar declared.

The minister added that Pakistan will continue to safeguard its citizens and sovereignty.

The talks began on October 29 in Doha with both Qatar and Turkiye mediating between the two sides following armed clashes between October 11 and 15, which resulted in casualties on both sides.

The first round ended without any tangible progress, but the two sides agreed to another round on October 25 in Istanbul, which also proved fruitless. The third and latest round met with the same outcome.