Khawaja Asif Declares Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks “Over” Amid Deadlock

Islamabad, November 8, 2025 – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday that the peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government, aimed at resolving cross-border tensions, have officially concluded and “entered an indefinite phase” due to a complete deadlock.

Speaking on a Geo News program, Mr. Asif delivered a blunt assessment of the most recent round of mediation in Istanbul, stating, “Right now, as we speak, negotiations are over.”

Key Details from the Defence Minister’s Statement:

• Negotiations at a Standstill: The Minister confirmed that despite the sincere efforts of mediators from Turkiye and Qatar, the third round of talks failed to bridge the deep differences between the two sides.
• Insistence on Written Accord: Mr. Asif revealed that Pakistan’s demand for a formal, written agreement to prevent the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan was the critical sticking point. He stated, “They supported our position. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us but was unwilling to sign a written accord,” adding that relying on verbal assurances was unacceptable in international diplomacy.
• “Afghans Support Pakistan’s Stance”: The Defence Minister claimed that the mediators, along with the Afghan delegation, privately acknowledged the legitimacy of Pakistan’s core demand—that cross-border terrorism must cease. However, this apparent understanding was not translated into a formal, documented commitment.
• Ceasefire Holds, with a Warning: The Defence Minister cautioned that while the fragile ceasefire currently remains in place, Pakistan would respond appropriately and “befittingly” if any attack were to originate from Afghan soil.
• Onus on Kabul: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed the government’s stance, posting that the responsibility now lies with the Afghan authorities to honor their international commitments regarding the control of terrorism, a pledge on which they have so far failed.

The collapse of the talks, which were initiated following deadly clashes along the border, marks a significant diplomatic setback and raises serious concerns about the future security outlook and stability along the shared frontier. Pakistan has consistently demanded concrete and verifiable action against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a demand the Afghan side has refused to formally commit to.