Deadlock in Istanbul: Pakistan pushes, Taliban back off from written deal

ISTANBUL: The third round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban is currently under way in Istanbul, Turkey.

According to diplomatic sources, the Afghan Taliban are showing reluctance to sign a written agreement, making the situation increasingly complicated due to their lack of flexibility.

Diplomatic sources confirmed that Turkish official Ibrahim Kalin is attending today’s round of talks as a mediator. They said that the Taliban’s continued refusal to commit to a written accord has further stalled progress.

Earlier, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban held nine hours of discussions on Saturday and more than 13 hours on Sunday, but the talks ended without any breakthrough.

During Sunday’s session — the second round of negotiations — the Pakistani delegation presented its final stance to the Afghan Taliban.

Sources said that Pakistan made it clear that it would not accept any support or shelter provided by the Afghan Taliban to terrorist groups.

The sources said Pakistan has insisted that the Afghan Taliban must take concrete and verifiable steps to dismantle the banned banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

They said that, unlike Pakistan, the Taliban’s arguments were illogical and detached from ground realities, suggesting that the group appeared to be pursuing a separate agenda.

Security officials noted that this agenda does not serve the stability of Afghanistan, Pakistan, or the wider region, adding that further progress in the dialogue depends on a constructive shift in the Afghan Taliban’s attitude.

According to the sources, Islamabad made clear that it will not accept any form of patronage or sanctuary for terrorist groups and demanded concrete, verifiable steps by the Taliban to end support for militants.

The Pakistani team described its proposals as “clear, evidence-based and aimed at delivering a durable solution” to cross-border militancy.

The talks in Istanbul follow an initial round held in Doha, Qatar. Turkish officials are hosting the current session and, according to Pakistani participants, are continuing efforts to secure Taliban engagement with the evidence and proposals presented by Islamabad.

Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that failure of diplomacy would have consequences.