The much-awaited peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul have failed dramatically, pushing ties between the two neighbours to a new low. Mediators from Qatar and Turkey were shocked as the discussions broke down.
What was meant to be a move toward stability in the region instead revealed deep mistrust and conflicting agendas, especially over US drone operations and cross-border terrorism.
As per several diplomatic sources, the Istanbul talks began with cautious optimism. The agenda was largely agreed upon, with only one issue left unresolved when the talks suddenly collapsed. According to witnesses, the Pakistani delegation’s conduct deteriorated quickly, with confusion, heated arguments, and disrespect towards the Afghan side and mediators.
The major trigger point for the failed talks seems to be Pakistan’s admission for the first time publicly, that it had an agreement allowing US drone operations from its territory. Pakistani delegation reportedly said the pact “cannot be broken,” which angered the Afghan side. The Afghan delegation demanded assurances from Pakistan side that it won’t allow US drones to violate Afghan airspace.
At first, Pakistan appeared willing to give such guarantees. But after a mysterious phone call from Islamabad to senior officials, the Pakistani negotiators suddenly reversed their position. They claimed they had no control over US drones or Islamic State (Daesh) activity. According to sources, this abrupt backtrack derailed the meeting completely.
Mediators shocked by conduct
Mediators from Qatar and Turkey, who had invested heavily in arranging the discussions, were reportedly stunned by the behaviour of the Pakistani team. One observer called it “unprecedented in diplomatic circles,” saying the delegation lost composure and resorted to insults. Some sources even described it as “sabotage by design.”
The Pakistani delegation was led by Major General Shahab Aslam, head of the ISI’s Special Operations Division. He allegedly demanded that the Afghan Taliban “summon and control” all groups attacking Pakistan, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Afghan side pushed back, saying the TTP members are Pakistani citizens and not Afghans and that Kabul cannot control Pakistan’s citizens.
Major General Aslam is the same Pakistani officer earlier accused of overseeing the Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians.
Conflicting security demands
The Afghan delegation maintained that it would prevent attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil but repeated that the TTP issue is Pakistan’s domestic problem. In exchange, they asked Pakistan to stop supporting US drone missions and to guarantee Afghan airspace integrity.
At one point, the discussion turned tense when Major General Aslam declared the drone issue “off the table.” The Qatari ambassador intervened, reminding him that Afghan concerns must be respected. The Pakistani general hit back, asking why Qatar allowed US drones to operate from its own base. The ambassador replied, “We have an agreement with the US.” Major General Aslam responded, “So do we,” confirming Pakistan’s cooperation in US drone operations.
Fallout & retaliation threats
The failure of the Istanbul talks has frozen the peace process and raised fears of Af-Pak border clashes. Afghan officials warned that any future Pakistani strikes will face “reciprocal action,” adding that if Afghan soil is bombed, “Islamabad will be targeted.”
Afghan representatives said they joined the talks “in good faith” but accused Pakistan of shifting blame and making unreasonable demands. Internal divisions between Pakistan’s civilian authorities and the powerful military appear to have damaged its negotiating position.
Analysts say Pakistan’s internal turmoil, strained US ties, and its controversial drone policy against Afghan and Pashtun civilians have deepened mistrust between the neighbours.
A setback for region
The Istanbul collapse marks a major setback for regional peace. The talks were seen as a rare chance to rebuild ties between two countries that share a long, troubled border. Instead, they ended in anger and accusation, leaving relations between Islamabad and Kabul even more uncertain.
For now, talks seem unlikely to resume. Both sides are hardening their positions, and mediators are left wondering if true peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan was ever within reach.
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