Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks collapse amid growing tensions

Saturday 08 November 2025 - 09:00

By: Sahili Aya

Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks collapse amid growing tensions

Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan have collapsed after a week of tense negotiations in Turkey, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown. The failure of the discussions raises fears of a renewed conflict after a fragile, month-long ceasefire between the two countries.

According to AFP and AP, the talks — mediated by Ankara and Doha — aimed to reduce border clashes that left more than 70 people dead in recent weeks. However, the two delegations left Istanbul accusing one another of bad faith.

The Taliban government in Kabul denounced Pakistan’s “irresponsible and uncooperative” attitude, claiming Islamabad sought to shift all responsibility for border security onto Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s officials said the Taliban had failed to honor promises to curb terrorism, particularly by groups such as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan territory.

Fighting flared again this week in Spin Boldak, along the border, killing at least five people, including civilians. Both governments traded accusations over who initiated the attack.

The breakdown of negotiations leaves the 2,600-kilometer frontier — one of the world’s most volatile — at high risk of renewed violence. Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Asif, warned that Islamabad “will take all necessary measures” if attacks resume, while the Taliban said patience was “wearing thin.”

Analysts fear that without external mediation, the region could slide into another round of border warfare, undermining the fragile stability achieved since last month’s ceasefire.