Peace Talks Between Afghanistan and Pakistan Fail Again Over Blame Game
Taliban government in Kabul accuses Islamabad of being 'irresponsible and uncooperative', raising fears of further violence.
Kabul: The latest round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan has ended in failure, according to the Taliban government in Kabul.
Blame for the breakdown was placed on Pakistan's 'irresponsible and uncooperative' approach during discussions held in Turkey on Thursday.
The talks aimed at finalizing a truce agreed upon in Qatar on October 19 were intended to address long-standing security issues between the two neighbors, who have seen deadly clashes escalate tensions.
Neither side has provided detailed information about the negotiations.
The Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, criticized Pakistan for attempting to shift security responsibility to Afghanistan while showing no willingness to take responsibility for either country's security.
This stance has led to an impasse in negotiations, with no significant progress reported.
Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, hinted earlier that the negotiations were likely to fail, placing the blame on Afghanistan for failing to clamp down on terrorism.
He stressed that Pakistan would continue to pursue all necessary measures to safeguard its security and sovereignty.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated over recent years due to accusations by Islamabad that Kabul harbors militant groups targeting Pakistan.
The Taliban government denies these allegations, while Islamabad seeks guarantees from the Taliban government that it will cease supporting armed organizations, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan).
Both countries have threatened a resurgence of hostilities following the failed negotiations, which previously led to over 70 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
The talks were nearly derailed after border fighting in Spin Boldak on the Afghan side resulted in five casualties, including four women and one man.
Afghanistan refrained from retaliating 'out of respect for the negotiating team and to prevent the loss of civilian lives,' according to Mujahid.
Islamabad also accuses Afghanistan of receiving support from India, their historical adversary, amid closer ties between the two countries.
Blame for the breakdown was placed on Pakistan's 'irresponsible and uncooperative' approach during discussions held in Turkey on Thursday.
The talks aimed at finalizing a truce agreed upon in Qatar on October 19 were intended to address long-standing security issues between the two neighbors, who have seen deadly clashes escalate tensions.
Neither side has provided detailed information about the negotiations.
The Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, criticized Pakistan for attempting to shift security responsibility to Afghanistan while showing no willingness to take responsibility for either country's security.
This stance has led to an impasse in negotiations, with no significant progress reported.
Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, hinted earlier that the negotiations were likely to fail, placing the blame on Afghanistan for failing to clamp down on terrorism.
He stressed that Pakistan would continue to pursue all necessary measures to safeguard its security and sovereignty.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated over recent years due to accusations by Islamabad that Kabul harbors militant groups targeting Pakistan.
The Taliban government denies these allegations, while Islamabad seeks guarantees from the Taliban government that it will cease supporting armed organizations, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan).
Both countries have threatened a resurgence of hostilities following the failed negotiations, which previously led to over 70 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
The talks were nearly derailed after border fighting in Spin Boldak on the Afghan side resulted in five casualties, including four women and one man.
Afghanistan refrained from retaliating 'out of respect for the negotiating team and to prevent the loss of civilian lives,' according to Mujahid.
Islamabad also accuses Afghanistan of receiving support from India, their historical adversary, amid closer ties between the two countries.
