Pakistan, Afghan Taliban talks in Istanbul end without resolution

ISLAMABAD: High-level security talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul ended without an agreement, sources told Pakistan TV Digital on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the four-day negotiations concluded after the Afghan delegation “declined to accept verifiable measures” against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“The central issue was verifiable action to restrain the TTP and prevent cross-border attacks,” a senior security source said. “The Afghan side did not sign the final draft despite multiple near-agreements.”

Pakistan, the sources said, presented evidence and proposed enforcement steps, but the Afghan delegation “kept avoiding concrete commitments.”

“They acknowledged the concern but would not agree to mechanisms of verification. This affects peace and stability,” another source said.

Mediators from Qatar and Türkiye facilitated the discussions. Pakistan thanked both host countries for their role.

Patience ran its course

In a detailed statement on X, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said Pakistan had engaged the Afghan Taliban leadership repeatedly after their takeover in Kabul to address “persistent cross-border terrorism” carried out by “Indian-abetted TTP and the Indian proxy BLA [Balochistan Liberation Army].”

“Pakistan has time and again asked the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfil their written commitments under the Doha Agreement,” Tarar said.

He said Pakistani efforts had “proved futile” due to what he described as “unabated support to anti-Pakistan terrorists” inside Afghanistan.

“For four years, Pakistan has borne heavy losses in men and material. Pakistan’s patience has run its course,” he said.

Tarar added that Pakistan attended the Doha and Istanbul rounds “to give peace a chance” at the request of Qatar and Türkiye.

“Irrefutable evidence was shared and acknowledged by the Afghan side and the hosts,” he said.

“But instead of taking responsibility, the Afghan Taliban resorted to blame, deflection and excuses. The dialogue therefore failed to produce any workable outcome.”

He said Pakistan would continue to take “all necessary measures to protect its people” and “eliminate terrorists, their sanctuaries, abettors and supporters.”