Reciprocal Guarantees and Airspace Dispute
The Afghan delegation proposed reciprocal guarantees, suggesting that, in return for Afghanistan’s assurances, Pakistan should guarantee non-violation of Afghan airspace and restriction on any third-party use of Pakistani airspace for strikes into Afghanistan. Islamabad clarified that it could not issue guarantees on matters such as unilateral operations by third countries, nor could it be held responsible for militant activity emanating from Afghan soil. If Afghan soil continues to be used by militants, Pakistan will reserve the right to eliminate the threat before it hurts Pakistan.
During a tense exchange, Pakistan’s head of delegation, General Shahab Aslam, reminded the Afghan representatives that territorial responsibility lies first with Afghanistan. Mediators from Türkiye and Qatar reportedly supported Pakistan’s stance, noting that verified on-ground action was the only path toward durable peace.
Another source said Pakistan presented detailed, time-stamped evidence of militant sanctuaries and cross-border movements. Instead of addressing the material directly, several Afghan representatives questioned its authenticity, shifted the discussion toward procedural and political distractions, and repeatedly sought guidance from Kabul — a pattern that severely undermined progress and prevented the talks from reaching concrete conclusions.
When Pakistan urged the Afghan side to take practical steps to dismantle groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces, the delegation refused to accept responsibility, claiming those militants were beyond their control — a position that astonished mediators, who had expected genuine cooperation on agreed security measures.
Pakistan’s Warning and Historical Context
A senior official present at the Istanbul talks revealed that on the night of October 27–28, negotiations stretched for 18 hours, during which both sides finalized a draft agreement three separate times. After the third revision, Pakistan’s lead negotiator, General Shahab Aslam, sought verbal confirmation from the Afghan side, asking whether it was “final.” The delegation agreed — only to retract minutes later after a phone call with Kabul, stunning the mediators from Türkiye and Qatar.
The talks ultimately collapsed after Afghanistan again refused to translate its verbal assurances into verifiable action. Sources said the three-day negotiations — held a week after the Doha round — ran nearly 50 hours in total. Pakistan’s stance remained firm: the Afghan Taliban must end support for the TTP and BLA and ensure Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan.
Pakistani negotiators reiterated that Islamabad has shown restraint but warned that continued cross-border terrorism will compel a response. “We will defend our people and sovereignty if our goodwill is exploited,” one senior delegate said.
Officials reminded mediators that Pakistan has supported Afghanistan for more than four decades — from hosting millions of refugees to advocating international engagement with the Taliban. However, they cautioned Kabul against repeating the mistakes of the 1990s, when harboring extremist groups led to isolation and conflict.
Rising Threat from Afghan-Based Militants
Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, Pakistan has faced a sharp surge in terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory. The TTP’s operational networks have expanded under what security analysts describe as a “resurgence” enabled by Taliban patronage. These attacks have targeted civilians, security forces, and border posts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Despite the failure of the Istanbul round, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dialogue, maintaining that stability in Afghanistan is vital for regional peace. However, officials emphasized that peace cannot exist without accountability and verifiable counterterrorism action.
As mediators from Türkiye and Qatar expressed disappointment at Kabul’s stance, Islamabad maintained its position: Afghan soil must not be used to threaten Pakistan, and any further aggression will invite a proportionate and sovereign response.
