Senior officials have confirmed that peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have ended without any agreement due to persistent differences. The third round began on Thursday and continued for two days, but Pakistan was unable to obtain a written commitment from Kabul to take action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan maintains that TTP militants are using Afghan soil to carry out attacks.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told a private TV channel that the talks had been postponed with “no schedule for a fourth round,” adding that negotiations had come to a complete halt and were indefinitely suspended.
He thanked Turkey and Qatar for their “sincere mediation efforts” to ease tensions between the two neighboring countries. He said the mediators supported Pakistan’s position, and even the Afghan delegation agreed on several points but refused to sign any written document. He reiterated that Pakistan would only accept a formal written agreement.
Asif added that the Afghan side sought verbal assurances, which are not workable in international negotiations. He said the mediators tried their best but eventually lost hope, noting that their silence indicated they too had withdrawn support for Kabul’s stance.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that Afghanistan must ensure its territory is not used for attacks against Pakistan. He warned that any provocation from across the border would trigger a response, adding that the ceasefire would hold only as long as no aggression occurs.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that it is the responsibility of the Afghan Taliban to fulfill their long-standing international, regional, and bilateral commitments regarding counterterrorism, which they have so far failed to do. He added that Pakistan harbors no ill intentions toward the Afghan people but will not support any action by the Taliban government that harms Afghan or regional interests.
Tarar stressed that Pakistan will continue to protect its citizens and sovereignty. Notably, heavy losses were incurred during clashes from October 11 to 15. Qatar and Turkey facilitated mediation, leading to talks in Doha on October 29, but the first, second, and third rounds all concluded without any breakthrough.
