Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government in Istanbul have collapsed after four days, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring militants behind cross-border attacks. The breakdown threatens to renew tensions despite a ceasefire brokered by Qatar earlier this month.
Pakistan and Afghanistan will hold the second round of talks in Istanbul on Saturday to ease border tensions and curb cross-border terrorism. The dialogue, facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye, follows the Doha meeting that restored temporary calm along the frontier.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after a week of deadly border clashes, Qatar said. The truce follows Pakistani airstrikes in Paktika that killed civilians, triggering Taliban condemnation and diplomatic mediation by Qatar and Turkey.
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir warned Afghanistan to “choose between peace and chaos,” demanding action against terrorists using its soil. His comments followed fresh Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan after a deadly TTP attack in North Waziristan.
Pakistan’s escalating conflict with Afghanistan threatens to spiral into a long-term crisis, analysts warn, as Islamabad seeks to assert military dominance while risking internal rebellion, Taliban backlash, and friction with China over its CPEC investments.
