Efforts to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have once again collapsed, with both sides blaming each other for ceasefire violations and stalled negotiations. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday said that talks with Afghanistan were now “over”, marking a serious setback to recent diplomatic efforts mediated by Turkey.
The announcement came shortly after Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters that negotiations held in Istanbul had reached a deadlock. Kabul has yet to officially respond to Islamabad’s claim.
“Talks are over,” says Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
Speaking to Pakistan’s Geo News, Khawaja Asif said, “As we speak, the talks are over.” He warned that the ceasefire along the border would hold only as long as there were no violations from the Afghan side.
The breakdown in talks comes barely a week after Turkey facilitated a round of dialogue where both countries agreed to maintain the ceasefire and establish a joint monitoring mechanism. The Istanbul statement released after those talks had said, “All parties have agreed on continuation of ceasefire and a verification mechanism to ensure peace.”
Afghan civilian casualties spark fresh tensions
The latest round of tension followed claims by an Afghan official that four Afghan civilians were killed in clashes with Pakistani forces earlier this week. Islamabad, however, accused the Taliban of failing to prevent militant attacks from Afghan soil, a commitment made under the 2021 Doha peace accord.
Minister Tarar said Pakistan valued peace and stability but would take “necessary steps” to safeguard its citizens. “Pakistan will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighbouring countries,” he added.
Ceasefire breaches continue along Chaman border
Skirmishes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, particularly near Chaman in Balochistan, have intensified since October. The Taliban had earlier accused Pakistan of carrying out explosions in Kabul, to which Islamabad denied any involvement.
In response, Taliban fighters reportedly attacked Pakistani border posts, claiming to have killed 58 soldiers — a figure Pakistan disputes, acknowledging 23 deaths. Though both sides announced a ceasefire shortly after, reports of airstrikes on Afghan territory and intermittent gunfire exchanges have persisted.
The most recent ceasefire breach was reported on Thursday night, when both sides exchanged fire briefly along the border in southwest Pakistan.
Peace process in jeopardy
Analysts say the collapse of talks is a major blow to regional stability, given that the border tensions have disrupted trade and displaced thousands of residents on both sides of the Durand Line.
Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring militants from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out multiple attacks inside Pakistani territory in recent months. The Taliban government in Kabul, meanwhile, has blamed Islamabad for violating Afghan sovereignty through aerial strikes.
With the Istanbul process now stalled, prospects for renewed peace dialogue appear uncertain.