Pakistan announced on Wednesday that its intensive negotiations for a lasting truce with Afghanistan had “failed to bring about a workable solution,” strongly warning it would take necessary steps to protect its own people.
Consequently, the four days of talks, which Qatar and Turkey bravely brokered in Istanbul, sadly concluded without reaching any meaningful breakthrough or clear resolution. These critical discussions aimed at securing peace following the South Asian neighbors’ recent and deadliest border clashes in several years. Tragically, that violence killed more than 70 people and subsequently wounded hundreds after Kabul explosions on 9 October, which the Taliban authorities quickly blamed on Pakistan.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated on X that the Afghan side regrettably “gave no assurances, kept deviating from the core issue and resorted to blame game, deflection and ruses.” Therefore, the dialogue completely failed to achieve any practical or workable solution, despite Pakistan’s genuine engagement in the spirit of seeking peace.
However, Tarar sharply accused Kabul of providing “unabated support to anti-Pakistan terrorists” operating near the volatile border region. Crucially, he vowed, “We will continue to take all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism,” promising to “decimate the terrorists, their sanctuaries, their abettors and supporters.”
Tensions Mount Over TTP
Relations between the one-time allies, who share a long 2,600-kilometre frontier, have sharply soured over Islamabad’s accusations that Afghanistan harbors militant groups staging attacks within Pakistan. Specifically, Islamabad demands decisive action against the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group, which remains a primary concern.
Pakistan explicitly accuses the Taliban government of allowing the TTP to use Afghan territory as a “training-cum-logistic base and jump off point for terrorist activities.” Conversely, the Taliban government has consistently denied these grave allegations made by Islamabad officials.
A security source revealed the Afghan delegation initially agreed to “credible and decisive action” against the TTP but later repeatedly reversed their position, acting upon instructions from Kabul.
Conflict Risks and Humanitarian Toll
The border between the two countries has remained closed for over two weeks, impacting vital regional trade, with truck drivers reporting that fruit is tragically “rotting” inside their vehicles at the Spin Boldak crossing. The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that the recent violence killed at least 50 Afghan civilians and also wounded 447 others in just one week.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s military stated that 23 of its personnel had been killed, and 29 were wounded in the fighting, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warning on Saturday that a complete failure to reach a deal could potentially escalate into “open war.”
