ISTANBUL – The third round of peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul ended without progress. The discussions, which lasted nearly 18 hours, aimed to reach a comprehensive peace deal but failed to produce any positive outcome. Diplomatic sources said the Afghan Taliban delegation frequently contacted Kabul, and their stance kept changing after each consultation. Despite continuous efforts, no encouraging response was received from the Afghan capital.
Sources revealed that Pakistan presented reasonable and logical demands during the negotiations. The Pakistani delegation remained firm on its position, which was described as strong and essential for lasting peace. The Turkish hosts also supported Pakistan’s stance, calling its demands fair and legitimate. Interestingly, members of the Afghan Taliban delegation privately agreed that accepting Pakistan’s proposals would be appropriate, yet they hesitated to commit publicly.
Read more: Pak-Afghan talks stall over TTP, BLA safe havens
According to reports, the Afghan delegation seemed heavily influenced by the Kabul administration. They repeatedly sought instructions from Kabul before making decisions, which slowed the process. This dependence raised concerns among observers, who suggested that some elements within the Afghan leadership were pursuing a separate agenda. As a result, the talks came to a standstill despite several attempts to revive momentum.
The Istanbul round followed two earlier sessions between the two sides. The first meeting took place in Doha, Qatar, where both parties agreed on a temporary ceasefire. The second round, held in Istanbul, focused on reviewing the progress made in implementing the earlier commitments. However, even after multiple sessions, no substantial progress was reported on critical issues.
Read more: Historic Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks in Istanbul Aim to Tackle Terrorism
Security officials stated that Pakistan had shared a detailed plan with Afghan authorities to curb cross-border terrorism. The proposal outlined joint efforts to prevent militant activities originating from Afghan soil. Despite this initiative, the Afghan side failed to provide a clear or constructive response. Consequently, the peace process remains uncertain, with future rounds of dialogue depending on Kabul’s willingness to engage sincerely.