ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul concluded without any breakthrough, as the Afghan delegation adopted an uncooperative and evasive stance during negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Turkey, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.
Officials, familiar with the discussions, said the Pakistani side urged Kabul to take clear and verifiable action against the terrorist groups using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan. However, the Afghan representatives repeatedly avoided making concrete commitments and instead responded with vague assurances and procedural objections, they added.
Sources said the mediators from Qatar and Turkey were “taken aback” by the Afghan delegation’s evasive response and lack of seriousness.
“Despite multiple rounds of detailed negotiations and repeated finalization of the draft agreement, the Afghan side backed out three times after consulting Kabul,” one senior official disclosed.
The talks, which lasted three days, continued late into the nights, including an 18-hour session on October 27-28, but failed to yield results. Pakistani officials presented time-stamped evidence of cross-border terrorists' sanctuaries and movement, but the Afghan side reportedly questioned the authenticity of the evidence rather than addressing its substance.
When Pakistan urged Kabul to rein in the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Afghan delegates claimed that these groups were not under their control — a response that drew concern from mediators expecting constructive engagement, sources revealed.
General Shahab Aslam, who led the Pakistani delegation, reminded the Afghan side that under international norms, every state is responsible for preventing the use of its territory for hostile acts against neighbors. Pakistan reiterated that continued cross-border attacks would compel Islamabad to take necessary measures to safeguard its people and sovereignty.
During the talks, the Afghan side also demanded reciprocal guarantees from Pakistan, including assurances regarding non-violation of Afghan airspace and third-party strikes. Pakistani officials clarified that Islamabad could not be held responsible for operations by other countries, nor could it ignore ongoing cross-border terrorism
Diplomatic sources said the mediators expressed disappointment over the Afghan delegation’s refusal to sign a mutually agreed draft. “Even after three final agreements, Kabul’s last-minute reversals left everyone shocked,” a source said. “May Allah help and forgive these people,” the source quoted the mediators' remarks.
Despite the deadlock, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, regional peace, and stability. “Islamabad’s position remains firm — Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” an official statement concluded.
The Istanbul round followed earlier discussions held in Qatar and reflected Pakistan’s consistent diplomatic efforts to resolve bilateral security concerns through peaceful and negotiated means.
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