The declaration comes after both parties traded accusations of cross-border assaults that threatened a ceasefire facilitated by Qatar
Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, has announced the failure of peace discussions with Afghanistan in Istanbul, which were intended to prevent new border conflicts.
In an interview with GEO News, Asif affirmed that the ceasefire would only endure if there were no attacks launched from Afghan territory. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, confirmed the breakdown of negotiations on Saturday.
Islamabad and Kabul initiated a third round of talks in Türkiye on Thursday in an attempt to alleviate rising tensions following last month’s lethal border clashes. The meeting in Istanbul followed earlier five-day discussions in October in Doha, which had established a ceasefire.
“There is a total impasse. The negotiations have entered an undefined phase,” Khawaja Asif stated, adding that there is “no plan for a fourth round of talks.”
The minister expressed gratitude to Türkiye and Qatar for their efforts to mediate the tensions between the two adjacent countries.
“They support our position. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us; however, they were unwilling to sign a written accord,” he explained, reiterating that Pakistan would only accept a formal agreement. “They wanted verbal assurances to be accepted, which is not feasible in international negotiations,” he added.
Mujahid indicated that negotiations had failed because Islamabad insisted that Afghanistan assume responsibility for Pakistan’s internal security, a demand he characterized as beyond his nation’s “capacity.” However, he asserted, “The ceasefire that has been established has not been violated by us thus far, and it will continue to be observed.”
Afghan and Pakistani forces briefly exchanged fire along their shared border on Thursday, both nations reported, on the same day peace talks to achieve lasting stability resumed in Istanbul.
Each side accused the other of initiating the gunfire near Spin Boldak, a border town in southern Afghanistan located along their 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier.
The two South Asian neighbors engaged in deadly clashes last month, resulting in dozens of fatalities, marking the most severe violence since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The escalation had been attributed to concerns over border security and militant activities. Islamabad accused Kabul of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters, allegations that the Taliban administration refutes.