Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan have collapsed once again, sending ripples of concern across a region already fraught with tension. The latest round of negotiations, held in Istanbul and mediated by Turkey and Qatar, ended on Friday, November 7, 2025, without any substantive agreement. Both sides walked away from the table with grievances in hand, as the threat of renewed hostilities looms over the fragile truce that has barely held since October.
The Istanbul talks were meant to cement a ceasefire brokered by Qatar on October 19, 2025, after a series of deadly border clashes along the Durand Line left dozens dead and hundreds wounded. According to BBC, the violence in October marked the worst fighting between the two neighbors in recent years, with both military and civilian casualties mounting on either side of the border. Despite the gravity of the situation, the negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough, with both countries blaming each other for the stalemate.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi did not mince words in his criticism of Pakistan following the talks. Speaking at a graduation ceremony in Kabul, Muttaqi lambasted Islamabad for its trade restrictions and the expulsion of Afghan immigrants. "How unfortunate news it is that a country and an army that calls itself a nuclear power uses this power against immigrants, expels them from their homes, and leaves them in the cold. It blocks the way for travelers and traders. It uses nuclear power against onions, tomatoes, and garlic. It has tied politics and trade together, while its dispute is with the TTP, but it creates problems for immigrants," Muttaqi was quoted as saying by Avapress.
Muttaqi went further, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan airspace multiple times over the past four years and asserting that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s internal security. He emphasized, "As we had said before, we chose a balanced policy because Afghanistan has been liberated from wars and displacements. Now is a good opportunity to have good and constructive relations with all neighbors, regional countries, and the international community and to use Afghanistan’s geographical location as a point of connection, transit, and exchanges."
On the Pakistani side, officials expressed continued commitment to dialogue but underscored their security concerns. Islamabad has long accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—a group designated as a terrorist organization by the UN and the US. According to Reuters, Pakistan's foreign ministry released a statement on Sunday, November 10, 2025, declaring, "Pakistan remains committed to (the) resolution of bilateral differences through dialogue. However, Pakistan’s core concern, ie terrorism emanating from Afghanistan needs to be addressed first and foremost."
The core sticking point in the Istanbul negotiations was Islamabad’s insistence that Afghanistan take responsibility for Pakistan’s internal security, a demand Kabul flatly rejected. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Geo News, "The ceasefire that has been established has not been violated by us so far, and it will continue to be observed." He added, "Negotiations had failed due to Islamabad insisting that Afghanistan assume responsibility for Pakistan's internal security, a demand he described as beyond Afghanistan's 'capacity'."
Despite the diplomatic deadlock, both sides have publicly committed to maintaining the ceasefire—at least for now. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed, "As we speak, the talks are over," but added that the ceasefire would stay intact unless breached by the Afghan side. Meanwhile, Afghan officials reported that four Afghan civilians were killed and five others wounded in clashes along the border during the negotiations, highlighting the volatility of the situation even as talks were ongoing.
Turkey’s role as mediator has drawn international attention, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally vowing to secure a lasting peace. After meeting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku, Erdogan announced that a diplomatic team would soon arrive in Islamabad to meet representatives from both sides. According to India Today, Erdogan’s goal is to "seal a permanent ceasefire and peace between the nations as soon as possible." Yet, optimism remains in short supply, as previous rounds of negotiations have repeatedly failed to end the skirmishes.
The rhetoric from both capitals has grown increasingly sharp. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reiterated, "Afghanistan does not want insecurity in the region, and entering into war is not our first choice." However, he made it clear that Afghanistan would defend itself if necessary and would not allow its territory to be used against another country. In a written statement, he pledged, "Afghanistan will not allow anyone to use its territory against another country, nor permit actions that undermine its sovereignty or security."
Pakistan’s leadership has also taken a hard line. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif was quoted as saying, "If talks fail, only war will happen." Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed this sentiment, stating that while Pakistan values peace and stability, it will take "all necessary measures" to protect its people and sovereignty. Tarar also criticized the Afghan Taliban for failing to honor commitments made under the 2021 Doha peace accord to curb terrorism, asserting that Pakistan "will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighboring countries."
The underlying mistrust is rooted in years of accusations and counter-accusations. Pakistan claims that many TTP leaders and fighters have found refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, fueling cross-border attacks and further straining relations. Afghanistan, for its part, demands respect for its territorial sovereignty and accuses Islamabad of supporting armed groups against it. The situation is further complicated by suspicions in Islamabad that Kabul is acting with the support of India, Pakistan’s long-standing rival.
Despite all the bluster, both sides have so far managed to avoid a full-scale resumption of hostilities. But the peace remains fragile. The border region, particularly around Spin Boldak, has seen deadly flare-ups, with five people killed in fighting on Friday, November 7, 2025, according to local Afghan officials. A tense calm now prevails, but with each side threatening to resume hostilities if provoked, the risk of escalation is ever-present.
As diplomats and mediators regroup for the next round of shuttle diplomacy, the people living along the border remain caught in the crossfire—quite literally. The international community, watching anxiously, hopes that cooler heads will prevail and that the Istanbul talks, despite their failure, may yet lay the groundwork for a more durable peace in a region that desperately needs it.
