Kabul [Afghanistan], November 8 (ANI): The third round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan ended without an agreement, with both sides blaming each other for the stalemate.
The Taliban-led Afghan government accused Pakistan of being “irresponsible and uncooperative,” saying Islamabad was shifting the blame for its security problems to Afghanistan while refusing to take responsibility for its own.
A Taliban spokesperson said that with mediation by Qatar and Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan held peace talks on November 6 and 7. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan once again thanks the Republic of Turkey and the State of Qatar — the two brotherly countries — for hosting and mediating the talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul,” the spokesperson said.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Pakistan’s delegation showed no willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan’s or its own security. “Representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, by special direction of the leadership, participated in Istanbul in good faith and with appropriate authority on two consecutive days (November 6 and 7), hoping that this time the Pakistani side, after consultation with its leaders, would approach the issue seriously and constructively, with a responsible attitude, and present realistic and implementable demands to reach a fundamental solution,” he said.
The talks, held in Istanbul with mediation from Turkey and Qatar, aimed to address cross-border terrorism and prevent further escalation. “During the talks, the Pakistani side attempted to refer all responsibilities regarding its security to the Afghan government, while at the same time it did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan’s security or its own. The irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation resulted in no outcome, despite the Islamic Emirate’s good intentions and the efforts of the mediators,” Mujahid said.
The Taliban reiterated its commitment to preventing Afghan territory from being used against other countries, while Pakistan warned it would respond to any attacks originating from Afghan soil. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reiterates its principled position: it will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor will it permit any country to use its territory to take actions against or support actions that undermine Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, independence, or security,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared a “complete deadlock,” saying the Afghan delegation refused to sign written accords and insisted on verbal assurances only.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the breakdown of talks on Friday, shortly after an Afghan official said four Afghan civilians were killed and five others wounded in clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their shared border, despite the ongoing negotiations, Al Jazeera reported.
The collapse marks another setback for efforts to ease tensions between the two neighbors, who have seen repeated border clashes and growing mistrust. (ANI)
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