Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan hosted by Turkey in Istanbul have reached a deadlock after three days of negotiations, with state media in both countries blaming each other for the failure to reach an agreement. Turkish officials continue to mediate efforts to break the stalemate.
The Istanbul talks form part of a wider diplomatic effort to ease months of heightened tension between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border attacks and militant sanctuaries—issues that have strained relations since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Delegations from both countries remain in Turkey, but it is unclear whether a fourth day of talks will take place. Pakistan Television reported that Turkish officials, along with representatives from several other countries, are working to maintain the ceasefire agreed upon on October 19 in Doha following deadly cross-border clashes that killed dozens of soldiers, militants, and civilians.
Three Pakistani security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the talks in Istanbul stalled due to Kabul’s reluctance to accept Pakistan’s demands for assurances that Afghan soil will not be used against Pakistan. The officials said the Taliban delegation was “not fully willing” to accept Pakistan’s proposals and continued to seek guidance from Kabul before making decisions.
Afghan state media RTA, meanwhile, accused Pakistan of obstructing the talks, saying Kabul “made every effort to hold constructive discussions,” but that the “Pakistani side does not seem to have this intention.”
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday pledged to help resolve the crisis between the two neighbors swiftly. The previous round of talks, hosted by Qatar, produced a ceasefire that both sides say remains in place despite the current stalemate.
Security analyst Syed Mohammad Ali, based in Islamabad, said Afghanistan appears to be slowing the diplomatic process and shifting focus to other bilateral issues, while showing “reluctance to give clear, unambiguous, and internationally verifiable commitments to act against Pakistan-based militants, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).”
Pakistan has reported a surge in militant attacks in recent years, mostly attributed to the TTP, which it says is being sheltered in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Pakistan’s military targeted TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, triggering deadly clashes until Qatar brokered the ceasefire.
All border crossings between the two countries have remained closed for more than two weeks, leaving trucks carrying goods stranded and disrupting key trade routes.
