Pakistan Suspends Peace Talks with Afghanistan Amid Deadlock

ANS: The fragile peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have hit a dead end, with Islamabad announcing an indefinite suspension of negotiations after the latest round in Istanbul ended without progress. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Friday that “there is a complete deadlock” and no plans exist for a fourth round of talks.

“The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase,” Asif told Geo News, underscoring that Pakistan will no longer entertain discussions without a formal, written accord.

Talks Collapse in Istanbul

Mediated by Turkey and Qatar, the third round of talks was meant to defuse rising border tensions after weeks of deadly skirmishes. However, officials said the Taliban-led Afghan delegation refused to sign a written commitment ensuring its soil would not be used for attacks on Pakistan, instead offering verbal assurances — something Islamabad rejected outright.

Asif thanked Turkey and Qatar for their “sincere efforts” but admitted the process had reached a “point of no return.” “Our only demand is that Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used for attacks on Pakistan,” he said.

Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire talks break down:

Taliban says Pakistan showed no readiness to accept any responsibility@eriknjoka tells you more pic.twitter.com/0iBwMutLvD

— WION (@WIONews) November 8, 2025

Pakistan Draws Red Line

Reaffirming a hard stance, Asif warned Kabul that any attack from across the border would invite a “strong and immediate response.” He clarified, however, that the ceasefire remains intact as long as there is “no aggression from the Afghan side.”

Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed the warning, stressing that Pakistan “will continue to exercise all options necessary to safeguard the security and sovereignty of its people.” He also urged Afghanistan’s rulers to ensure regional stability, saying Islamabad “harbours no ill will toward the Afghan people.”

Kabul Hits Back

Afghanistan’s Taliban government, for its part, accused Pakistan of “shirking responsibility” and using the talks to deflect internal security failures. Kabul insists it has no links with militant groups attacking Pakistan, blaming Islamabad’s own border management for repeated flare-ups.

Ceasefire at Crossroads

Earlier rounds of talks, including a five-day marathon session last month, had produced a temporary ceasefire and an agreement to set up a monitoring and verification mechanism to prevent violations. But the latest stalemate threatens to undo that fragile progress.

Analysts say the breakdown marks a serious setback for regional peace efforts and could trigger fresh hostilities along the volatile Durand Line.