ISTANBUL: The latest round of Pakistan-Afghan Taliban talks in Istanbul has once again hit an impasse, undermining ongoing regional efforts for peace and stability.
Participating under Türkiye and Qatar’s mediation, Pakistan adopted a resolute and transparent stance, stressing that verbal pledges from Kabul are no longer adequate. Islamabad maintained that any cooperation must be reciprocal, verifiable, and enforceable to ensure that counterterrorism commitments yield real results.
At the heart of Pakistan’s demands lies a lawful and principled position the dismantling of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant outfits operating from Afghan territory, the handover of their ringleaders, and a written assurance of compliance.
These expectations, Pakistan underscored, do not infringe on Afghanistan’s sovereignty, but are fully consistent with UN resolutions and international norms. Yet, the Afghan delegation once again withdrew from taking tangible steps in the final stages, leading to the breakdown of the dialogue.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid’s recent remarks, which sought to misrepresent Pakistan’s position, were dismissed in Islamabad as misleading and reflective of a familiar propaganda pattern one that echoes regional disinformation narratives, particularly those promoted by India.
In reality, the TTP’s command structure, training centers, and funding channels remain active within Afghanistan. Pakistan suggested that if Kabul truly believes its soil is free from such groups, it should agree to a joint verification mechanism involving Türkiye, Qatar, or other international observers to confirm the facts on the ground.
Reiterating its commitment to dialogue, peace, and regional stability, Pakistan emphasized that it has never acted against the Afghan people or questioned Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Instead, Islamabad continues to shelter millions of Afghan refugees, honoring decades of brotherly ties.
Nonetheless, Pakistan made it clear that the security of its citizens is non-negotiable. Having borne immense human and economic losses in the war against terrorism, Pakistan now insists on concrete actions not rhetoric as the only path to genuine peace.
