Afghanistan-Pakistan Tensions Soar as Peace Talks Fail

Negotiations held in Istanbul between Pakistan and Taliban-led Afghanistan collapsed after four days without reaching a durable agreement. Pakistan accused Kabul of failing to rein in militant groups launching attacks across the border, while Afghanistan rejected the accusation of providing sanctuary, fueling the risk of renewed conflict along their shared frontier.

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, announced early Wednesday that the Istanbul negotiations had ended without producing a “workable solution,” Reuters reported.

The talks were the follow-up to a ceasefire agreed on October 19 in Doha, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, in an effort to halt deadly border clashes between the two neighbours.

The central sticking point was Islamabad’s demand that Kabul curb the activities of the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan accuses of using Afghan territory as a base for attacks.

Afghan officials countered that they lacked control over the TTP and accused Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty via air and drone strikes.

Additional friction arose from Pakistan’s admission during the talks of an agreement with the United States allowing drone flights over Afghanistan from Pakistani soil — a claim Kabul found unacceptable.

Analysts point out that the border dispute itself — the contested Durand Line — remains a long-standing cause of mistrust between the two capitals, influencing current hostilities.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, issued a blistering warning that if a deal could not be secured, Islamabad reserves the right to an “open war” against its neighbour.

While both sides claim the ceasefire is holding for now, recent skirmishes near the border indicate that tensions remain high and potential for wider conflict persists.

The border disruption has led to significant challenges: crossings such as the one at Spin Boldak have been closed, trade has been suspended, and local civilians face displacement and economic hardship.

Some experts caution that the collapse of the talks could undermine broader regional stability, affecting neighbouring countries and international interests in South Asia.

With the Istanbul round concluded without progress, both Islamabad and Kabul face a critical juncture. Without an agreement that addresses the root causes — militant safe havens, border sovereignty, and verification mechanisms — the fragile truce risks disintegrating into renewed violence.