KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The latest round of peace talks between Pakistan and the Taliban in Istanbul ended without an agreement, both sides confirmed, marking the second failed attempt to reach a breakthrough since last month’s deadly border clashes.
The two-day negotiations, held on November 6–7 with mediation by Qatar and Turkey, concluded amid mutual accusations. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Pakistani delegation attended the talks in an “irresponsible and uncooperative” manner, undermining efforts to resolve key disputes.
In a post on X on Saturday, Mujahid said the Taliban had joined the talks “in good faith and with full authority,” expecting Pakistan to approach the dialogue “seriously and constructively” with “realistic and implementable demands.” He claimed Islamabad sought to shift “all its internal security responsibilities” onto Afghanistan while showing no willingness to assume any obligations of its own.
“The irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation resulted in no outcome, despite the Islamic Emirate’s good intentions and the efforts of the mediators,” Mujahid said, reaffirming that the Taliban would not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any country.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif confirmed the deadlock, saying the third round of talks had entered “an indefinite phase” with no plans for further discussions. He accused the Taliban of refusing to sign a written agreement on Pakistan’s demand to end cross-border terrorism.
“They support our stance. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us; however, they were not ready to sign a written agreement,” Asif told Geo News, adding that Islamabad would only accept a formal, written accord.
Asif said Pakistan’s position remains firm that Afghanistan must ensure its territory is not used for attacks on Pakistan. He warned that Pakistan would respond to any aggression but would maintain the current ceasefire if calm continues.
Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former special envoy for Afghanistan, said the stalemate showed the Taliban’s unwillingness to rein in the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “Deadlock in Istanbul means the Taliban wouldn’t rope in TTP,” he said. “It implies the border would remain closed, no trade or travel—the ordinary people would suffer.”
The Istanbul meetings followed an earlier six-day round that also failed to produce results. Tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban, once close allies, have risen sharply in recent months after a series of border clashes and Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika.
Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified attacks inside the country in recent years, targeting security forces and government installations. The Taliban reject the accusation, saying they do not support the group and consider the issue an internal matter for Pakistan.
