ISTANBUL — A critical second round of talks between Islamabad and Kabul is currently in a “last-ditch effort” to prevent collapse, security sources confirmed on Tuesday. The negotiations in Istanbul follow an October 18-19 meeting in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, which had secured a permanent ceasefire after days of intense border clashes and Pakistani strikes on militant camps.
پاکستان اور طالبان وفود کے استنبول میں جاری مذاکرات بغیر کسی نتیجے کے ختم#PakistanTalibanTalks #IstanbulMeetings #PeaceNegotiations #AfghanistanNews #PakistanNews #TalibanDelegation #DiplomaticTalks #PeaceProcess #RegionalPolitics #PakistanAfghanistanRelations #NegotiationUpdate… pic.twitter.com/32OfTqSypD
— AbbTakk (@AbbTakk) October 28, 2025
Despite initially positive atmospheres, the talks have hit a significant roadblock over Pakistan’s core demand: verifiable and decisive action against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
Sources indicated that the Afghan Taliban delegation, after an 18-hour session, repeatedly agreed in principle to Pakistan’s “logical and legitimate demand.” However, their position abruptly shifted due to “instructions received from Kabul,” leading to a refusal to commit to a written mechanism for action. Security officials termed the “illogical and illegal advice from Kabul” as responsible for the current “failure of the talks,” while asserting that Pakistan and the hosts remain serious about a resolution.
Mediators from Turkiye and Qatar are holding out hope, noting that the three days of continued engagement show neither side wishes for the process to entirely collapse, even as frustration mounts over the persistent stalemate. Pakistan has made it clear that “the ongoing patronage of terrorists by the Afghan Taliban is unacceptable.”
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