AP: Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks stall in Istanbul

Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have stalled in Istanbul after three days, with both sides blaming each other, while Türkiye continues efforts to break the deadlock,  The Associated Press reports.

The talks are part of a broader diplomatic push to ease months of heightened tension between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border attacks and militant safe havens — issues that have strained relations since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Delegations from both countries remain in Türkiye, but it is not immediately clear whether a fourth day of talks will take place.

Pakistan Television reported early on October 28 that Turkish officials, alongside representatives from several other countries, are working to preserve the ceasefire agreed on October 19 in Doha following deadly cross-border clashes that killed dozens of soldiers, militants and civilians on both sides.

Three Pakistani security officials with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press there is a deadlock in Istanbul over Kabul’s reluctance to accept what Pakistan described as “logical and legitimate demands about assurances that Afghan soil not be used against Pakistan.” The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the host country was trying to end the deadlock so that the final round of talks could resume as soon as possible.

According to the Pakistani officials, the Taliban delegation was “not fully willing” to accept Pakistan’s proposals and continued to seek guidance from Kabul before making decisions. There was no immediate response from Kabul about these claims, which were repeated by Pakistan Television on October 28.

Afghanistan-controlled media RTA made similar accusations against Pakistan, saying Kabul “made every effort to hold constructive talks,” but that the “Pakistani side does not seem to have this intention.”

As the latest round of talks took place in Türkiye, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged on October 26 to help resolve the crisis between the two neighbours “very quickly.”

The recent fighting prompted Qatar to host the initial round of talks, which produced a ceasefire that both sides say is still holding despite the stalemate in Istanbul.

There has been no official statement from either side about the current status of the negotiations.

Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Mohammad Ali said Afghanistan’s strategy at the talks was to slow the diplomatic process and shift focus to other bilateral issues. He noted Afghanistan’s “reluctance to give clear, unambiguous and internationally verifiable commitment to act against Afghanistan-based Pakistani Taliban and other militants.”

Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks in recent years, mostly blamed on the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group closely allied to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Islamabad says the group has been sheltered in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Authorities in Pakistan said the country’s military earlier this month targeted TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, triggering deadly clashes until Qatar brokered the ceasefire.

All border crossings between the two countries have remained closed for more than two weeks, with trucks carrying goods stranded, awaiting the reopening of key trade routes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev