Failed Negotiations: Taliban and Pakistan Meet in Istanbul Amid Rising Tensions

The three-day negotiations between the Taliban and Pakistan in Istanbul ended without reaching an agreement. Pakistani sources say the Taliban rejected Islamabad’s request to take action against armed groups on Afghan soil and refused to provide written guarantees… Conversations between the representatives of the Taliban and Pakistan in Istanbul concluded after three days of intensive negotiations without a specific agreement being reached. Pakistani sources say that differences between the two sides over action against rebel groups, especially the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were the main obstacles to reaching an agreement.

Rejection of Pakistan’s request for action against rebels

The Express Tribune, a Pakistani newspaper, reported that the Taliban did not accept Islamabad’s request to conduct operations against the strongholds of armed groups opposed to Pakistan inside Afghanistan and refused to provide written guarantees. Pakistani security sources have confirmed that the Taliban rejected Pakistan’s legitimate demands, and Islamabad has not retreated from its positions. Pakistan insists that any cooperation with the Taliban government is conditional on concrete actions against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch rebels, and other armed groups.

Taliban’s stance: Dialogue is the only solution to disputes

A source close to the Taliban delegation stated that the Taliban attempted to find a solution to the disputes during the negotiations, but the Pakistani side showed a similar unwillingness. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, announced yesterday that the dialogues continue, but predictions about the results cannot be made before the end of the meeting. He emphasized that the only solution to the tensions is dialogue and mutual understanding.

Factors escalating tensions between the two countries

The Istanbul negotiations took place while last week Khawaja Asif, the Pakistani Minister of Defense, warned that if the talks failed, Islamabad might enter into open conflict with Afghanistan. Relations between the two countries have become severely strained since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering TTP fighters, while the Taliban denies these accusations and seeks to resolve the disputes through negotiation.

Border clashes and damage to bilateral trade

Recent tensions increased after the Taliban Ministry of Defense accused Pakistan of violating Kabul’s airspace and conducting airstrikes in Paktika province. Following this incident, intense border clashes between the two sides resulted in numerous casualties and left the commercial crossings along the Durand Line closed for over two weeks. Afghan traders say the closure of the borders has caused heavy losses to merchants and the economies of both countries and has put the cargo transit process in a state of semi-suspension.