The latest round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan, held in Istanbul on November 6 and 7, 2025, ended in disappointment and deadlock, dashing hopes that the two neighbors might finally ease escalating tensions along their volatile border. Despite mediation by Turkey and Qatar, the negotiations produced no agreement, with both sides trading accusations and warnings as the fragile ceasefire brokered in October teetered on the brink.
According to the Associated Press, the Istanbul talks were the third such attempt since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. These discussions, seen as a pivotal diplomatic effort, took place against a backdrop of deadly border clashes, drone strikes, and mutual recriminations. Officials from both countries described the meetings as tense, with little room for compromise.
In the days leading up to the talks, violence had already flared. Early October saw deadly fighting that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians on both sides. The United Nations reported that 50 Afghan civilians were killed and 447 wounded during this period, while the Pakistani army admitted to losing 23 soldiers and having 29 wounded. Explosions in Kabul on October 9, which Afghanistan's Taliban government blamed on Pakistani drone strikes, left at least five dead. In response, Pakistan's military launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan, claiming to have killed dozens of insurgents, though Afghan officials insisted civilians were among the casualties. Afghan forces reportedly retaliated, killing 58 Pakistani soldiers, a figure Pakistan has not confirmed in full.
Amid this violence, Qatar stepped in to broker a ceasefire on October 19. The truce, though fragile, has largely held, but has not prevented sporadic border clashes. The Istanbul talks were intended to build on this ceasefire and find a path toward lasting stability. Instead, the outcome was another stalemate.
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid put the blame squarely on Pakistan, stating at a press conference from Kandahar, "Pakistan's demands in the negotiations were unreasonable and the talks could not proceed, the meeting ended and the talks are at a standstill for now." He further stressed, "We do not want insecurity in the region, and entering into war is not our first choice, but if war breaks out, we have the right to defend ourselves." Mujahid was adamant that Afghanistan would not allow its territory to be used against another country or permit actions that undermine its sovereignty and security, echoing a written statement released earlier.
The Taliban's official clarification, issued on November 8 and quoted by NDTV, expressed gratitude to Turkey and Qatar for their mediation but accused Pakistan of an "irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude," saying Islamabad tried 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." Mujahid added, "The problem between the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Pakistan is not recent, nor did it arise after the Islamic Emirate came to power; rather, it has persisted since 2002." He also claimed that the Taliban had facilitated direct talks between the TTP and Pakistan, but that the Pakistani military sabotaged the process.
Pakistan, for its part, has repeatedly accused Afghanistan's Taliban rulers of harboring the TTP, a militant group responsible for a surge in attacks inside Pakistan since 2021. Islamabad maintains that the Taliban authorities have failed to honor their pledges under the 2021 Doha peace accord to combat terrorism. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Geo News that the "talks are over" and the Pakistani delegation was returning home with "no plan for any future meetings." He insisted the ceasefire would remain in place as long as "it is not violated from the Afghan side." Asif further criticized the Afghan delegation for coming "without any program" and refusing to sign a written agreement, insisting only on verbal assurances. "They said they would respect a verbal agreement, but there is no room for that," he said. "There is no plan or hope for any fourth round of talks. Talks have entered an indefinite pause."
The breakdown in talks was accompanied by renewed violence. Just as the negotiations ended, Afghan officials reported that four civilians were killed and five others wounded in cross-border clashes. The Taliban insisted that the ceasefire had not been violated by their forces and would continue to be observed, but the incident underscored the volatility of the situation.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Minister for Tribes, Borders, and Tribal Affairs, Noorullah Noori, issued a stern warning to Pakistani officials "not to test the patience of Afghans." He declared that if war breaks out, "both the elders and youth of Afghanistan will rise to fight." The Taliban's statement underscored that the defense of Afghanistan's people and territory remains "the Islamic and national duty" of the Emirate, vowing to "firmly defend against any aggression with the help of Allah and the support of its people."
Pakistan's position has been equally uncompromising. The government has closed all border crossings with Afghanistan since October 12, disrupting vital trade and stranding thousands. The main Torkham crossing was partially reopened the week before November 8 to allow stranded Afghan refugees to return home, but hundreds of trucks loaded with goods remain backed up on both sides. Alongside the border restrictions, Pakistan is carrying out a nationwide campaign to deport undocumented foreigners, the majority of them Afghans. Since 2023, authorities say more than a million Afghan nationals have been repatriated.
The deadlock in Istanbul has left the region on edge. The talks, meant to ease border tensions, have instead revealed deep mistrust and increased the risk of open confrontation. Both sides have expressed appreciation for the efforts of mediators Qatar and Turkey, but neither appears willing to make the concessions necessary for peace. As the fragile ceasefire hangs by a thread, the fate of millions living along the border remains uncertain, and the specter of renewed conflict looms.
For now, the Istanbul talks serve as a stark reminder of just how difficult it is to resolve the longstanding disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. With both governments entrenched in their positions and mutual suspicion running high, the path to lasting peace remains as elusive as ever.
