Peace Talks Between Afghanistan and Pakistan Collapse, Ceasefire Continues
Negotiations Fail Over Security Demands, but Truce Remains in Place
ANKARA: Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan have broken down, with both sides unable to reach a long-term agreement on security issues.
Despite the failed negotiations, a ceasefire between the two South Asian neighbors remains in place, according to a Taliban spokesperson.
Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the collapse of peace talks was primarily due to Islamabad's insistence that Afghanistan assume responsibility for Pakistan’s internal security.
He described this demand as beyond Afghanistan’s capacity.
However, Mujahid confirmed that the ceasefire established between the countries has not been violated by the Taliban so far and will continue to be observed.
On Friday, Pakistani Minister of Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif reported that peace talks with Afghanistan in Istanbul aimed at preventing renewed border clashes had also collapsed.
He emphasized that the ceasefire would hold as long as there were no attacks from Afghan soil.
The brief exchange of fire between Afghan and Pakistani troops along their shared border on Thursday, coinciding with the resumption of peace talks in Istanbul, further highlighted the tensions between the two nations.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku on Saturday, expressing his hope that the talks would 'yield results toward lasting stability.' He also emphasized Turkiye's continued involvement in facilitating a resolution to the conflict.
The Pakistani and Afghan militaries clashed last month, resulting in dozens of casualties.
This marked the worst violence since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Both sides had previously signed a ceasefire in Doha in October, but a second round of negotiations in Istanbul concluded without a long-term deal due to disagreements over militant groups hostile to Pakistan that operate within Afghanistan.
For years, Pakistan and the Taliban maintained relatively warm ties; however, their relationship has significantly deteriorated recently.
The October clashes were preceded by Pakistani airstrikes targeting various locations in Kabul earlier that month, aiming at the head of the Pakistani Taliban.
Despite the failed negotiations, a ceasefire between the two South Asian neighbors remains in place, according to a Taliban spokesperson.
Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the collapse of peace talks was primarily due to Islamabad's insistence that Afghanistan assume responsibility for Pakistan’s internal security.
He described this demand as beyond Afghanistan’s capacity.
However, Mujahid confirmed that the ceasefire established between the countries has not been violated by the Taliban so far and will continue to be observed.
On Friday, Pakistani Minister of Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif reported that peace talks with Afghanistan in Istanbul aimed at preventing renewed border clashes had also collapsed.
He emphasized that the ceasefire would hold as long as there were no attacks from Afghan soil.
The brief exchange of fire between Afghan and Pakistani troops along their shared border on Thursday, coinciding with the resumption of peace talks in Istanbul, further highlighted the tensions between the two nations.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku on Saturday, expressing his hope that the talks would 'yield results toward lasting stability.' He also emphasized Turkiye's continued involvement in facilitating a resolution to the conflict.
The Pakistani and Afghan militaries clashed last month, resulting in dozens of casualties.
This marked the worst violence since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Both sides had previously signed a ceasefire in Doha in October, but a second round of negotiations in Istanbul concluded without a long-term deal due to disagreements over militant groups hostile to Pakistan that operate within Afghanistan.
For years, Pakistan and the Taliban maintained relatively warm ties; however, their relationship has significantly deteriorated recently.
The October clashes were preceded by Pakistani airstrikes targeting various locations in Kabul earlier that month, aiming at the head of the Pakistani Taliban.
