In Istanbul, Pakistan and Afghanistan have come to no agreement on measures to combat cross-border terrorism after three days of intensive talks ending Monday. Delegations grappled with the core issue of verifiable actions against militants, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating from Afghan soil. Turkish and Qatari mediators facilitated the discussions, but optimism gave way to frustration. The talks, part of broader efforts post a recent Doha ceasefire, highlight persistent security challenges. No joint statement emerged, leaving the Pakistan Afghanistan no agreement as the stark outcome.
This impasse matters deeply in South Asia. Unresolved militancy fuels instability, disrupts trade worth billions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and risks drawing in regional powers. It endangers lives in border regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kandahar, where attacks have surged. A breakdown could escalate into wider conflict, straining resources and humanitarian aid flows critical for millions displaced by decades of unrest.
Third Day Istanbul Peace Talks Stalemate
The third day of the Istanbul peace talks unfolded with initial promise but descended into deadlock. Participants noted encouraging progress early Monday, describing serious engagement from both sides. Yet, as sessions extended into the evening, sources close to the negotiations reported fading hopes. Most points found mutual accord, but the mechanism for verifiable action against terrorist groups proved insurmountable.
Pakistan pressed for concrete guarantees that Afghan territory would no longer host TTP operations targeting Islamabad. Afghan representatives, including Taliban officials, resisted formal commitments, citing internal constraints. “The hosts understand Pakistan’s concerns, but people in Kabul and Kandahar are not willing to commit,” a Pakistani official stated. This reluctance deepened the Pakistan Taliban Istanbul deadlock October, echoing long-standing distrust.
Mediators from Turkiye and Qatar urged persistence. One mediator emphasised the value of sustained dialogue: “Even if the talks didn’t produce a breakthrough, the fact that both sides stayed engaged for three straight days is important. It shows that neither wants the process to collapse.” Despite this, no mutual document or joint statement materialised by late evening.
The atmosphere shifted markedly from Sunday, when Pakistani officials presented their final position a move interpreted as a potential end to proceedings. Afghan delegates countered with optimism, calling remaining disputes “few” and “resolvable.” One Afghan team member affirmed: “The Afghan side has made it clear that tensions benefit no one. We are hopeful that these talks will produce a positive outcome.”
Pakistan’s Firm Stance in Pakistan Taliban Istanbul Deadlock October
Pakistan entered the talks with a clear red line: end Taliban patronage of the TTP. Security sources reiterated Islamabad’s position. “Pakistan’s principled stance has been clear from the outset. The Taliban must end their patronage of the TTP and prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan,” one source declared.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif amplified this urgency in televised remarks from Sialkot on Saturday. “We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them,” he warned. He added a note of restraint: “But I saw that they want peace.” Asif’s comments, made as talks began, underscored the high stakes amid rising border incidents that killed dozens and injured hundreds in recent weeks.
Data from Pakistani border forces shows a 25% spike in cross-border firing since September 2025, with 150 incidents reported. This escalation prompted the Doha truce on October 19, brokered by Qatar and Turkiye, which halted immediate hostilities but demanded follow-up mechanisms, precisely what eluded the Istanbul round.
Afghan Perspective Amid Third Day Istanbul Peace Talks Stalemate
Afghanistan’s delegation emphasised dialogue over confrontation. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid addressed the impasse directly. “The second phase of negotiations is ongoing; we cannot predict the outcome and must wait for the end of the meeting,” he said. Mujahid advocated patience: “The only solution to resolve the recent issue with Pakistan is dialogue and understanding.”
This approach reflects Kabul’s view that external pressures, including alleged Indian influences, complicate commitments. Afghan officials argue that verifiable mechanisms require time and resources strained by internal governance challenges post-2021 takeover.
The talks build on the October 19 Doha agreement, welcomed by Pakistan’s Foreign Office as a “first step in ensuring regional stability.” That pact called for de-escalation and joint patrols, but implementation faltered without enforcement tools fueling the current Pakistan Afghanistan no agreement.
Background
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have long been fraught by the porous 2,640-kilometre Durand Line, a colonial-era border rejected by Kabul. Militant groups exploit this terrain, launching attacks that claim hundreds of lives annually. In 2024 alone, TTP assaults in Pakistan rose 60%, per official tallies, displacing 100,000 people.
The Istanbul process revives multilateral formats like the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, involving China and the US in past iterations. Turkiye’s role as host leverages its growing mediation clout, seen in Syria and Libya deals. Qatar’s involvement stems from its Doha successes, including Taliban-US pacts.
Recent triggers include artillery exchanges in September 2025, killing 45 civilians. These prompted the Doha ceasefire, signed by military attachés, averting full-scale reprisals. Yet, without addressing root causes like TTP safe havens, fragility persists.
What’s Next
Negotiators mulled extending talks into a fourth day Tuesday, but no confirmation emerged by press time. Pakistan signalled readiness for further rounds, while Afghanistan called for “mutual respect.” Failure risks renewed skirmishes, potentially involving proxies and straining NATO supply lines through Pakistan.
International observers, including the UN, monitor closely. A breakthrough could unlock PKR 50 billion in stalled trade and aid. The Pakistan Afghanistan no agreement, however, signals protracted diplomacy ahead.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 28th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
