In diplomacy, honouring commitments is the bedrock of a nation’s credibility. When states fail to implement agreements and assurances, their standing in the international system erodes, and diplomatic isolation follows. Successful diplomacy requires alignment between words and deeds; promises must represent lasting trust, not temporary convenience. Afghanistan again stands before the world’s conscience with a […]
Taliban
Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul end in deadlock
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 […]
Pakistan-Afghanistan talks collapse in Istanbul: Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday that talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border terrorism have “ended indefinitely” after negotiators failed to bridge their differences during the third round of discussions in Istanbul. He confirmed that the ceasefire remains intact “for now,” but warned that Pakistan would respond decisively to any violation. “Negotiations […]
Afghan Taliban and Pakistan’s Dilemma
When the Taliban returned to power in Kabul, many in the region hoped they had changed. They had promised dialogue, inclusivity, and an end to the use of Afghan soil against any neighbour. Four years later, those hopes lie buried under the rubble of broken assurances and cross-border graves. The Taliban’s signature on the 2020 […]
Pakistan urges Afghan Taliban to curb cross-border terrorism
ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reiterated a firm stance during high-level talks in Istanbul, declaring it will not tolerate any terrorism originating from Afghan soil. The discussions, co-hosted by Türkiye and Qatar, mark the third round of principal-level negotiations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban aimed at consolidating a fragile ceasefire after deadly cross-border clashes last month. […]
Pakistan, Afghan officials resume Istanbul talks despite border gunfire incident
ISLAMABAD: The third round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks opened in Istanbul on Thursday, surviving a brief but tense exchange of fire along the Chaman-Spin Boldak border, which threatened to derail a fragile ceasefire. The two-day talks, being held at the Conrad Hotel under the mediation of Turkiye and Qatar, aim to finalise a monitoring and verification […]
Kabul must act against militants after joint monitoring deal: Tarar
ISLAMABAD – Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that it is now Kabul’s responsibility to take decisive action against militants using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan, following the establishment of a joint monitoring and verification mechanism involving third-party mediators. His remarks came after Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan […]
Pakistan hopes peace mechanism will ensure Taliban action against terrorists
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday said that with the establishment of a joint monitoring and verification mechanism, the onus would be on Kabul to take action against terrorists using Afghan soil to launch attacks on Pakistan. A second round of discussions between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations had begun in Istanbul on Saturday, but […]
Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban’s claim over deportation offer
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has strongly rejected the Afghan Taliban’s claim that Islamabad refused Kabul’s offer to deport terrorists operating against Pakistan, calling the statement “false and misleading.” In an official post on X, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Pakistan “categorically rejects the deliberate twisting of facts” made by Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid […]
Putin did not threaten Pakistan, Russia confirms after viral video
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan has confirmed that a viral video allegedly showing President Vladimir Putin threatening Pakistan is “100% fake.” The clip, shared widely on social media, was found to be dubbed and unrelated to Pakistan or Afghanistan. The original footage actually shows Putin answering questions at a Russian Geographical Society event on October […]