Taliban blames Pakistan after talks collapse
Talks between the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan-led delegation from Pakistan and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in Istanbul have ended without agreement, with the Afghan side blaming Islamabad for an “irresponsible and uncooperative” stance.
Background of the Talks
The two-day session, mediated by Istanbul and facilitated by Doha, was held amid a fragile cease-fire that both sides had agreed to maintain during discussions. The talks aimed to address ongoing tensions following recent cross-border attacks, drone strikes, and artillery exchanges along the 2,600-kilometre frontier separating the two countries.
Taliban’s Statement
Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan of failing to show seriousness during the talks and alleged that Islamabad attempted to shift full responsibility for militant activity onto Kabul. The IEA maintained that it has made genuine efforts to prevent its soil from being used against any neighbouring country. Afghan officials reaffirmed their commitment to the cease-fire, saying they “will not be the first to violate peace”.
Pakistan’s Position
Islamabad continues to allege that the Afghan Taliban are sheltering members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who are accused of carrying out deadly attacks on Pakistani forces. Pakistani officials say they will continue to defend their borders and take necessary measures to protect national security if violence continues.
Possible Fallout
Diplomatic observers warn that the failure of the Istanbul talks leaves both sides vulnerable to renewed hostilities. Without a comprehensive security framework or verification mechanism, tensions are expected to persist, threatening to destabilize the border regions further.
