'Unrealistic Demands': Afghanistan Slams 'Irresponsible' Pakistan As Peace Talks Hit Stalemate

Last Updated:November 08, 2025, 11:05 IST

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of stalling Istanbul peace talks, citing security responsibility disputes.

Taliban security personnel. (IMAGE: AFP/REPRESENTATIVE)

Afghanistan accused Pakistan of taking an “irresponsible and non-cooperative" approach during the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, saying Islamabad attempted to shift “all security responsibility" onto Kabul while refusing to assume any of its own. The Taliban-ruled Afghanistan said this behaviour led directly to the failure of the two-day negotiations.

In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Afghan delegation had participated “in good faith and with appropriate authority," hoping Pakistan would approach the discussions “seriously and constructively" after consulting its leadership. Instead, he said, Pakistan “did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan’s security or its own," leaving mediators Turkey and Qatar unable to bridge the gap.

The spokesperson reiterated that Kabul would not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country and would defend Afghanistan’s sovereignty “against any aggression."

The talks, held on November 6 and 7, failed to secure a written commitment from Kabul to take action against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants accused by Islamabad of using Afghan territory to mount attacks. Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said negotiations had entered a “complete deadlock," adding that Kabul insisted on offering only verbal assurances, which he called unacceptable in “international negotiations." Khawaja Asif said Pakistan would maintain the ceasefire but warned it would respond if attacked from Afghan soil.

The Istanbul impasse was the third consecutive failure in a series of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar. The process began in Doha on October 29 following deadly border clashes between October 11 and 15. That round ended without progress, leading to the second meeting on October 25 in Istanbul, which also yielded no breakthrough. The latest round has now collapsed in the same manner, with no schedule for a fourth session.

News world 'Unrealistic Demands': Afghanistan Slams 'Irresponsible' Pakistan As Peace Talks Hit Stalemate

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