ISLAMABAD, November 8: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Friday that negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government have effectively ended without any breakthrough, saying the dialogue process has entered an “indefinite phase.”
Speaking on Geo News’ programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, Asif said talks “are over,” acknowledging that negotiators were unable to overcome “deep differences” during the third round of discussions held in Istanbul. “The Afghan delegation came without any clear programme and refused to sign a written agreement,” he added.
BREAKING “Our return empty-handed proves even the mediators have lost hope in Afghanistan.”
— Defence Minister Khawaja Asif 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/UMtUTsRk7s
— Geo Index (@GeoIndex_) November 7, 2025
Officials earlier described the talks as “deadlocked,” with a senior security source saying discussions in Istanbul had stalled. The Pakistani team, led by ISI Director General Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, included senior military and Foreign Office officials. The Afghan side was headed by GDI chief Abdul Haq Waseq and included senior Taliban figures such as Suhail Shaheen and Anas Haqqani.
BREAKING:
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s MoD Khawaja Asif says talks with Afghanistan 🇦🇫 in Istanbul have COLLAPSED, we hope no attacks originate from Afghan territory. Because if it does then expect a full blown war.
Last month: Pakistan and Afghanistan agree on IMMEDIATE ceasefire during… pic.twitter.com/gTVlXKVfMr
— Ainà Dipo 🇳🇬 (@dipoaina1) November 7, 2025
The Istanbul round, jointly mediated by Turkiye and Qatar, was aimed at finalising a mechanism to monitor and verify compliance with an earlier ceasefire. Despite initial optimism, the meetings concluded without direct engagement between the delegations on Friday, and Pakistani representatives departed Istanbul soon after.
Asif warned that while the ceasefire remains in place for now, any violation from the Afghan side “will be met with a befitting response.” He reiterated Pakistan’s central demand that attacks from Afghan soil must stop.
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Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan had presented “evidence-based and logical” demands focused on ending cross-border terrorism. Afghan negotiators, however, reportedly described Pakistan’s stance as “unrealistic and aggressive.”
The dialogue process followed a series of deadly border clashes in October that strained relations between the two neighbours. Despite mediation efforts, the latest breakdown raises concerns over renewed tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
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