Web Desk; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday that the dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan has “ended indefinitely” after negotiators failed to overcome deep differences during the third round of talks in Istanbul.
“As we speak, negotiations are over,” Asif stated on Geo News, confirming that the discussions had reached a deadlock.
The Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, mediated by Turkiye and Qatar, were launched after a series of deadly border clashes in early October that left several soldiers and civilians dead on both sides.
The first round in Doha resulted in a fragile ceasefire, while the second round focused on developing a verification mechanism for ceasefire compliance. The latest round, which began Thursday in Istanbul, aimed to finalize that mechanism but ended without progress.
According to Asif, the Afghan delegation arrived “without any programme” and refused to sign any written agreement, insisting on verbal assurances instead. “There is no room for verbal agreements anymore,” he said, warning that Pakistan would respond “proportionally” if attacks from Afghan soil resumed.
Pakistan’s delegation, led by ISI Director General Lt Gen Asim Malik, presented evidence-based demands to end cross-border terrorism. However, Afghan negotiators dismissed Pakistan’s stance as “unrealistic and aggressive.”
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated that the responsibility now lies with Kabul to honor its international and regional obligations to curb terrorism. “Pakistan will exercise all necessary options to safeguard its people and sovereignty,” he added.
Diplomatic sources in Istanbul said the atmosphere during the final hours was tense, with no direct meetings between the delegations on the last day. Despite the breakdown, mediators from Turkiye and Qatar are still attempting to revive dialogue.
Relations between the two neighbors have sharply deteriorated since October 11, when attacks from Afghan territory sparked deadly skirmishes, forcing Pakistan to retaliate with cross-border strikes targeting militant hideouts.
Islamabad continues to demand that the Taliban prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan soil against Pakistan — an allegation Kabul continues to deny.
