Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks in Istanbul collapsed over Pakistan’s demands on cross-border militancy, deepening tensions and trade disruptions.
Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks Collapse in Istanbul Amid Security Dispute and Border Tensions
TheInterviewTimes.com | Istanbul, Turkey | November 9, 2025 —The latest Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks in Istanbul have collapsed after three days of intense negotiations, marking a major diplomatic setback in efforts to stabilize one of Asia’s most volatile borders. The breakdown, confirmed by Turkish and Qatari mediators on Friday evening, underscores deep divisions between Kabul and Islamabad over the issue of cross-border militancy and national security responsibility.
Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks Key Points
- The third round of Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks ended without agreement in Istanbul.
- Pakistan demanded Kabul eliminate all Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases in Afghan territory.
- The Taliban rejected the demand, calling it “beyond Afghanistan’s capacity.”
- Ceasefire violations and renewed border shelling have heightened regional tensions.
- Turkey and Qatar pledged continued mediation for a fourth round in December.
Security Dispute Leads to Breakdown
At the center of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks was Pakistan’s demand that Afghanistan take full responsibility for dismantling militant sanctuaries of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Afghan delegation spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed the request, saying Islamabad was effectively asking Afghanistan to “guarantee Pakistan’s internal security,” which he described as unrealistic and contrary to “good-neighborly relations.”
Pakistan’s delegation, led by Special Representative Mohammad Sadiq and Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, accused Kabul of inaction. Asif stated in Islamabad that the Taliban had failed to offer a verifiable plan to neutralize TTP networks, adding, “Pakistan cannot compromise on the lives of its citizens and soldiers.”
Fragile Ceasefire at Risk
The Istanbul negotiations followed an earlier Doha agreement in October 2025 that established a temporary ceasefire along the 2,670-kilometer Durand Line after weeks of deadly border clashes. That fragile truce was meant to pave the way for lasting peace, but recent violations—including artillery strikes in Khost province and retaliatory closures of the Torkham crossing—have reignited mistrust.
The Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks agenda contained five key points: halting cross-border attacks, dismantling TTP camps, prisoner exchanges, reopening trade routes, and creating a joint verification commission. Progress was achieved on minor issues, but the second point—TTP dismantling—proved insurmountable.
Intelligence Evidence and Diplomatic Strains
Diplomatic sources in Istanbul revealed that Pakistan presented satellite evidence of TTP training operations in Paktika, Khost, and Nangarhar as recently as late October. Islamabad demanded immediate Afghan-led clearance operations monitored by international observers. The Taliban refused, citing lack of capacity and fears of triggering internal tribal conflict.
“Afghanistan will not allow its soil to be used against neighbors,” Mujahid reiterated. “But we cannot serve as the police force for another nation’s domestic problems.”
Following the collapse, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry warned it would resume “targeted counter-terrorism operations” inside Afghan territory if no progress occurs within two weeks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an emergency National Security Committee meeting, reaffirming that “all options remain on the table.”
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Afghan Response and Regional Fallout
In Kabul, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada convened the Rahbari Shura to decide next steps. While hardliners urged a break in relations and refugee expulsions, Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar pushed for continued engagement. Turkish envoy Cihad Erginay confirmed that “both sides expressed willingness to return,” hinting at possible talks before year-end.
The failure of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks carries broader implications. China and Russia issued a joint call for restraint, while India quietly strengthened security along the Line of Control amid fears of TTP infiltration. Regional trade has already suffered—Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue reports a 38% drop in Afghan imports and a 45% fall in transit trade through Karachi in October alone.
Humanitarian and Economic Impact
For civilians, the fallout is immediate. Hundreds of cargo trucks remain stranded at border checkpoints as Islamabad tightens inspections. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warned that renewed hostilities could worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 23 million Afghans needing winter aid. Food and fuel supplies are disrupted as trade routes remain unstable.
Outlook: Fragile Hopes for Dialogue
Despite the setback, mediators in Ankara and Doha continue to push for a diplomatic reset. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken with Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, while Qatar’s Emir plans to host Taliban leader Baradar next week. Whether these efforts can salvage trust after the Istanbul collapse remains uncertain.
The deadlock highlights a fundamental divide: Islamabad views the TTP as an existential threat demanding Afghan cooperation, while Kabul sees Pakistan’s expectations as violations of sovereignty. Unless these positions shift, the Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Talks risk becoming another casualty of the region’s long history of mistrust and conflict.