ISLAMABAD: The latest round of peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, held in Istanbul under the joint mediation of Türkiye and Qatar, concluded without any breakthrough, officials confirmed on Friday. Both sides failed to resolve key differences on security and counterterrorism issues, maintaining the status quo on cross-border tensions.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar acknowledged the mediation efforts by Türkiye and Qatar but emphasized that Pakistan’s stance remains unchanged: preventing terrorism from Afghan soil is Afghanistan’s responsibility. He noted that the Afghan Taliban have yet to fulfill commitments made under the 2021 Doha Peace Agreement, including obligations to the region and international community.
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“Pakistan continues to maintain goodwill for the Afghan people and wishes for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan,” Tarar said, adding that Islamabad will act decisively to protect its citizens and sovereignty. Following the talks, Pakistan’s National Security Adviser and delegation members returned home.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated that Pakistan presented its evidence-based demands to the mediators with the primary goal of ending cross-border terrorism. He added that the mediators endorsed Pakistan’s position and were in discussions with the Afghan delegation on the demands point by point.
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The Istanbul meeting marked the third round of talks after previous negotiations failed to establish a lasting truce. Both sides remain committed to dialogue, but the outcome underscores the continuing challenges in achieving a sustainable peace framework between the two countries.