Istanbul Talks Collapse: Taliban Blames Pakistan as Border Clashes Intensify

Istanbul Talks End Without Agreement

Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership has blamed Pakistan for the failure of two days of Qatar- and Turkiye-mediated talks in Istanbul, saying Islamabad showed an "irresponsible and non-cooperative" stance that left negotiations without a resolution. The breakdown came amid renewed clashes along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border that the Taliban say killed and wounded Afghan civilians.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the delegation attended talks "in good faith" and expected Pakistan to "present realistic and implementable demands to reach a fundamental solution." He accused the Pakistani delegation of trying to shift responsibility for security entirely onto Kabul while showing no willingness to take responsibility for its own security.

"During the talks, the Pakistani side tried to shift all responsibility for its security onto the Afghan government," Mujahid said. "We will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor permit actions that undermine Afghanistan's sovereignty."

Pakistan’s government did not immediately respond to Mujahid’s statement. Earlier on Friday, Islamabad acknowledged the talks had reached a deadlock and that no substantial progress had been made, despite a Qatar-brokered ceasefire remaining in effect.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar warned that Islamabad "will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighbouring countries." Islamabad argues that Taliban authorities have failed to honor commitments under the 2021 Doha agreement to counter terrorism, accusing Kabul of providing sanctuary to the Pakistan Taliban (Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan, TTP), which has claimed or been blamed for numerous deadly attacks in Pakistan.

In response to those allegations, Pakistan has carried out multiple air strikes inside Afghanistan; the Taliban deny sheltering the TTP and say they remain committed to mutual security. The Taliban also emphasized that, while the people of Pakistan are "friends and brothers," Kabul will "firmly defend against any aggression."

Mediators Qatar and Turkiye were thanked by Islamabad for their efforts, but Pakistan reiterated it would take "all necessary measures" to protect its people and sovereignty.

According to United Nations figures, fighting that began in early October has killed 50 civilians and wounded 447 on the Afghan side of the border. Explosions in Kabul have killed at least five people. The Pakistani army reported 23 soldiers killed and 29 wounded in attacks it blamed on the Taliban; it did not provide figures for Pakistani civilian casualties.

What to watch next

Observers will be monitoring whether mediators can relaunch talks, whether the ceasefire holds, and whether either side pursues further military actions. The situation remains fragile, with both diplomatic and security implications for the wider region.