Islamabad: Pakistan has officially halted its talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban government following a total breakdown in dialogue aimed at de-escalating ongoing border clashes. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that negotiations had reached a “complete deadlock,” signaling the end of any immediate diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
Speaking on Geo News’ Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, Asif said there was “no schedule for the fourth round of talks,” confirming that discussions had entered an “indefinite pause.” “At this point, negotiations are over,” he stated, underscoring the failure of recent peace efforts mediated by Turkiye and Qatar.
The third round of talks, held in Istanbul on Thursday, aimed to cool tensions after last month’s deadly border skirmishes. Previous discussions had concluded with a fragile interim understanding, but this time, no agreement could be formalized.
Asif praised Ankara and Doha for their “genuine mediation efforts,” noting that both countries supported Pakistan’s position. “Even the Afghan representatives acknowledged our stance, yet they refused to sign any written document,” he revealed. “In diplomacy, verbal promises hold no weight. We demanded a signed accord, which they declined.”
He went on to remark that the mediators themselves appeared to lose faith in the process. “Had they seen any hope, they would have asked us to stay. Our return without progress shows that even they have given up on Kabul,” Asif commented.
Reiterating Pakistan’s principal demand, the minister emphasized, “Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used for launching attacks against Pakistan.” He also issued a stern warning: “If aggression continues from across the border, Pakistan will respond decisively. However, as long as peace is maintained, the ceasefire will hold.”
Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar took to X (formerly Twitter) to remind Afghanistan of its regional and international obligations. “It is now Kabul’s responsibility to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism,” he wrote, adding that Pakistan remained committed to peace but would not tolerate any actions from the Taliban that could destabilize the region.
“Pakistan bears no animosity towards the Afghan people,” Tarar said, “but it will firmly oppose any move by the Taliban regime that endangers the interests of Afghanistan or its neighbours.” He reaffirmed that Pakistan would “exercise all necessary options to safeguard its citizens and sovereignty.”
Earlier, the second round of dialogue, held on October 25, had also collapsed after Islamabad dismissed what it called “unfounded justifications” from the Taliban side regarding cross-border terrorism. Despite that, Turkish mediators had persuaded both sides to maintain a temporary ceasefire, which remains tenuously in place.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry had previously issued a joint statement confirming the commitment of all participants to uphold the truce and create a mechanism for monitoring and verifying violations. However, with the latest diplomatic collapse, those efforts appear to have reached an impasse leaving the region once again on edge amid renewed fears of escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.