A fresh round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan has reportedly failed to achieve a breakthrough in resolving simmering tensions between the two South Asian neighbors. Despite this setback, both sides have agreed to maintain a fragile ceasefire.
The talks, held in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, represent the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, all aimed at de-escalating tensions following deadly border clashes in October.
While the Doha-brokered ceasefire has largely held, efforts to secure a long-term arrangement through follow-up talks in Istanbul last month failed to produce a peace agreement. According to sources, the new round of discussions was initiated by Saudi Arabia and involved representatives from the Pakistani military, intelligence agencies, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The primary achievement was the agreement to uphold the existing ceasefire.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who launch attacks within Pakistan, including Afghan nationals. Kabul vehemently denies these accusations, asserting it is not responsible for security conditions inside Pakistan.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has not commented on the location of the talks or confirmed whether they took place in Saudi Arabia. However, in remarks to political analysts in Kabul, he rejected Islamabad’s accusations, describing them as contradictory. Muttaqi emphasized that the Afghan government seeks to resolve issues through understanding and dialogue. He urged Pakistani officials to focus on addressing their own internal problems and to appreciate the constructive steps taken by Afghanistan.
Islamabad insists on a written commitment from Kabul to take action against anti-Pakistan militants. The Afghan government, however, maintains that it cannot be expected to guarantee security within Pakistan’s borders. The ongoing dispute highlights the complex and challenging relationship between the two nations, with no immediate resolution in sight. Further diplomatic efforts are anticipated to bridge the gap and foster greater cooperation.
The situation remains fluid, and DZWatch will continue to provide updates as they become available.
