Web desk: The ongoing talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul have ended in a deadlock, according to Information Minister Atta Tarar.
In a statement, the Information Minister Atta Tarar said Pakistan appreciated the mediation efforts of Türkiye and Qatar, which facilitated the dialogue between the two sides.
Information Minister Atta Tarar reiterated that Pakistan stands firm on its principled stance that the responsibility for curbing terrorism originating from Afghan soil lies with Afghanistan.
He said that the Afghan Taliban has so far failed to fulfil its international, regional, and bilateral commitments under the Doha Peace Agreement of 2021.
Information Minister Atta Tarar stressed that Pakistan continues to hold goodwill toward the Afghan people and wishes for a peaceful and stable future for Afghanistan.
However, he made it clear that Pakistan will not support any actions by the Taliban government that go against the interests of the Afghan people or neighbouring countries.
Information Minister Atta Tarar reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard its people, borders, and sovereignty.
Pak-Afghan Talks
Previously, the third round of Pakistan Afghanistan talks began in Istanbul on Thursday, despite a brief exchange of fire along the border that tested a fragile ceasefire, reports Dawn.
The two-day talks were mediated by Turkiye and Qatar at the Conrad Hotel under tight media restrictions. It aims to finalise a framework for a “monitoring and verification mechanism” agreed in principle last week.
The discussions also focus on long-standing disputes over militant sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
A ceasefire was earlier brokered in Doha on October 19 through Qatari mediation. It was followed by two earlier rounds of talks in Istanbul.
Before the formal talks resumed, Turkish and Qatari intelligence officials held separate meetings with both delegations. The discussions then continued in both direct and indirect formats.
A Pakistani official close to the delegation said that Islamabad’s demands remain “non-negotiable.”
