Negotiations between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban entered a tense third day in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, oscillating between cautious optimism and deepening frustration, as the two sides struggled to bridge differences over mechanisms to curb cross-border terrorism.
By late Monday night, officials involved in the discussions acknowledged that a final agreement remained elusive, despite marathon sessions and multiple rounds of behind-closed-doors diplomacy. According to senior diplomatic sources cited by Dawn news, “consensus has been achieved on most points,” yet a deadlock persists on one critical issue the verification framework for action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
“We had hoped to sign a joint document soon, followed by a public communiqué,” one official confided with visible disappointment. “That goal, however, still seems beyond reach but we haven’t lost hope.” At the outset, optimism ran high. Delegates from both sides praised the constructive tone and serious engagement that characterized the day’s early sessions. But as the hours passed and discussions stretched into the evening, optimism faded into irritation. “This is a difficult stage,” one participant admitted — a sentiment that reflected the growing fatigue in the room.
By nightfall, it became clear that the process had once again hit an impasse. The Afghan Taliban delegation, according to sources, continued to resist signing any written commitment, particularly one requiring verifiable guarantees to sever support for the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
A Pakistani official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The hosts understand our concerns, but decision-makers in Kabul and Kandahar remain unwilling to make concrete pledges.” The reluctance, he added, has become a source of mounting frustration for Islamabad’s team.
“Pakistan’s stance has been principled and consistent from the outset,” said a senior security source. “The Taliban must end their patronage of the proscribed TTP and ensure that Afghan soil is never used for terrorism against Pakistan.”
Diplomatic insiders hinted at the presence of “negative and external influences” a veiled reference to India attempting to complicate the process. Despite this, mediators described Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar as “sincere and serious” in their efforts to sustain the dialogue and steer it toward progress.
Monday’s discussions began in an atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the gloom that followed Sunday’s round, when Pakistani negotiators reportedly presented their “final position,” prompting speculation in local media that the talks were on the verge of collapse.
Yet, in contrast, the Afghan delegation maintained a publicly hopeful tone through Sunday night and into Monday morning. Members of the team expressed belief that the talks could still yield tangible results, describing the remaining disagreements as “narrow” and “resolvable.”
“The Afghan side has made it clear that escalation benefits no one,” said one Afghan negotiator. “We remain hopeful that these talks will produce a constructive outcome.” Mediators from Turkey and Qatar echoed that optimism, urging both sides to maintain engagement and “not allow the process to fail.”
While no breakthrough was achieved, diplomats described Monday’s meetings as “not without significance.” One mediator observed, “Even though the day ended without a major development, the fact that both sides have remained engaged for three consecutive days underscores a critical point neither party wants to abandon the negotiation process.”
As midnight approached, negotiators were still weighing whether to extend the talks into a fourth day, in hopes of salvaging momentum and narrowing the remaining gaps between the two sides. For now, Ankara’s corridors of diplomacy echo with a blend of hope and hesitation a reflection of two neighbours striving to turn dialogue into durable peace, yet caught between promises and the hard realities of trust.
