Pakistan-Afghan Taliban peace talks collapse amid deadlock over cross-border terrorism

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. PIC/GETTY IMAGES

Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban ended without any agreement to tackle the thorny issues of cross-border terrorism as the deadlock persisted, according to top officials. The third round of talks began on Thursday and continued for two days but it failed to get a written commitment from Kabul to take action against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants accused of launching an attack against Pakistan by using Afghan soil.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told a private TV channel on Friday night that the negotiations were suspended, with "no programme for the fourth round of talks." "There is a complete deadlock. The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase," he said. The minister reiterated that Pakistan's position remained firm and clear. "Our only demand is that Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used for attacks on Pakistan," he said. He warned that Pakistan would respond if provoked.

Separately, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on X on Saturday, "Pakistan does not harbour any ill-will against the Afghan people. However, it shall never support the Afghan Taliban regime's any measures that are detrimental to the interests of the Afghan people as well as the neighbouring countries," Tarar said.

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