ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan–Afghanistan peace talks are set to resume on Tuesday in Istanbul after failing to reach a breakthrough during three days of intense discussions.
Officials from both sides confirmed that the next round will focus on Pakistan’s key demand — that the Afghan Taliban government take concrete action against the TTP and prevent cross-border attacks.
On Monday talks in Istanbul ended without an agreement as Islamabad’s key demand — dismantling the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) network operating from Afghan soil — faced resistance from the Afghan Taliban’s interim government.
According to Pakistani officials, the negotiations — hosted by Türkiye and facilitated by Qatar — were aimed at ensuring that the October 19 ceasefire, agreed in Doha, remains intact and leads to a lasting mechanism to prevent cross-border terrorism. However, despite marathon sessions, the Afghan side failed to give a “clear or encouraging response.”
Officials familiar with the discussions said Pakistan’s position remained logical, firm, and based on mutual interest. Islamabad made it clear that the patronage or tolerance of any terrorist group — especially the TTP — is unacceptable, reminding the Afghan delegation that such elements have carried out deadly attacks killing Pakistani civilians and soldiers in recent years.
Sources said the Afghan delegation repeatedly sought instructions from Kabul and appeared unwilling to commit independently. “It is evident they are being tightly controlled by Kabul authorities,” one official said, adding that host nations Türkiye and Qatar also acknowledged the validity of Pakistan’s concerns.
Rising Cross-Border Attacks Since August 2021
Since the takeover of Kabul by the Afghan Taliban in August 2021, Pakistan has experienced a marked increase in militant attacks originating from Afghan soil, particularly through the network of the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to academic analysis, the TTP’s activity surged in the period 2021-24 under what is described as a “resurrection” facilitated by the Taliban’s regime in Afghanistan. This escalation includes frequent cross-border infiltrations, attacks on Pakistani security forces, and the use of Afghan territory as a safe haven—raising serious national-security concerns in Islamabad.
Pakistan reminded the Afghan representatives that it has been a steadfast supporter of Afghanistan for over 40 years — from hosting millions of Afghan refugees during the Soviet invasion and the U.S.-NATO war, to advocating humanitarian assistance and international engagement with the Taliban regime. “Pakistan stood by Afghanistan in every crisis, but cannot allow its goodwill to be exploited by terrorist networks,” a senior Pakistani delegate said.
Officials warned that the Afghan Taliban risk repeating the historic mistake of the 1990s, when their protection of al-Qaeda led to devastating consequences — including foreign invasion and two decades of war. “Harboring the TTP now could isolate Kabul once again,” one diplomat cautioned.
The Pakistani side reiterated that its military actions have always been retaliatory, responding to cross-border attacks originating from Afghan territory. It stressed that Pakistan respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty but expects the same in return — by ensuring that its soil is not used to destabilize Pakistan.
President Donald Trump’s recent remarks pledging to help resolve the crisis “very quickly” have added diplomatic urgency to the ongoing Istanbul round, but as of Monday night, the talks remain deadlocked.
For Pakistan, the message is unambiguous: peace will only be possible if Kabul takes verifiable action against the TTP, ends cross-border infiltration, and honors its commitment that Afghan soil will never again be used against its neighbor.
