Pakistan’s repeated calls for concrete and verifiable action against the menace of terrorism have once again met a wall of indifference from Kabul, as the Afghan Taliban continue to display a non-serious approach towards issues threatening not only regional, but also global peace and stability.
The latest warning from the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior; vowing a “decisive and powerful response” to any Pakistani action, has further deepened Islamabad’s concerns that those in Kabul remain unwilling to confront the very forces that have long undermined peace in both countries.
Officials in Islamabad describe the tone emanating from Kabul as “reckless and ungrateful,” given Pakistan’s decades-long role in sheltering, supporting, and advocating for the Afghan people. For more than forty-five years, Pakistan opened its borders, homes, and institutions to millions of Afghan refugees, many of whom arrived with nothing and have since built prosperous lives here. Yet, instead of partnership and cooperation, Islamabad now faces threats and accusations from a government that owes its very existence to the sacrifices and support of its closest neighbour.
From Friendship to Friction
Pakistan’s Defence Minister recently cautioned that continued inaction from the Taliban regime could push relations to the brink, warning that if peace talks failed, the situation might evolve into open confrontation.
Negotiations held earlier this week in Istanbul concluded without tangible progress, as Islamabad pressed Kabul to take specific, verifiable measures against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliated groups.
The Taliban delegation, however, reiterated vague assurances of defending Afghanistan’s “territorial integrity,” avoiding any firm commitment to halting cross-border attacks or establishing a joint monitoring mechanism — key points Pakistan views as essential for any lasting peace.
Istanbul Talks Stalled Amid External Influence
Diplomatic observers see the outcome of the Istanbul Talks as yet another sign that the Taliban are unwilling, or perhaps unable, to distance themselves from groups that continue to target Pakistan.
According to senior officials familiar with the discussions, the Taliban delegation’s stance hardened midway through the dialogue, reportedly after high-level contacts between Kabul and representatives of India and a major global power seeking to expand its regional influence.
Analysts believe this outside interference not only disrupted the talks but also emboldened the Taliban to adopt a confrontational tone, undercutting efforts for a peaceful understanding between two Muslim neighbours.
“Those seeking to exploit Kabul’s isolation are playing a dangerous game with regional stability,” said one senior diplomatic source. “They may gain influence in the short term, but they will lose moral ground in the long run.”
A Question of Gratitude
For Islamabad, the disappointment runs deep. Pakistan was not only the first to host millions of Afghan refugees, but also one of the few nations that consistently advocated for the world to engage with the Taliban after their return to power. The expectation, officials argue, was that this goodwill would translate into cooperation against terrorism.
Instead, border communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan continue to bear the brunt of cross-border violence, with militants exploiting Afghan soil as a safe haven.
Security experts warn that such complacency amounts to tacit complicity. “By refusing to act decisively against these elements, the Taliban are endangering not just Pakistan’s security, but the broader regional equilibrium,” said one senior official, adding that Islamabad’s patience “should not be mistaken for weakness.”
Echoes of Hypocrisy
Islamabad also draws parallels between the Taliban’s evasive posture and the rhetoric of the banned TTP. Its leader once infamously stated that he would accept support from any power — even non-Muslim nations — against Pakistan.
The remark, viewed as a betrayal of religious and fraternal values, now echoes uncomfortably in Kabul’s shifting regional alignments.
Diplomatic circles have noted the Taliban’s growing closeness with certain foreign powers, including overtures toward India — a country with which Pakistan’s relations remain tense. Recent regional moves, from trade discussions to diplomatic exchanges, have raised concerns that Kabul’s new partnerships are being pursued at the expense of its traditional ally, Pakistan.
Officials here view this tilt as both strategic nearsightedness and moral ingratitude — a clear deviation from the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and neighbourly responsibility that Islamabad upheld for decades.
Pakistan’s Position: Peace with Responsibility
Despite provocations, Pakistan continues to insist on dialogue and diplomacy. However, the government has made it clear that any talks must produce measurable outcomes — including the neutralisation of militant sanctuaries and the prevention of Afghan soil being used for attacks inside Pakistan.
Islamabad has also proposed establishing a joint monitoring mechanism, increased intelligence sharing, and third-party verification of anti-terror operations. These steps, officials stress, are not aggressive demands but essential confidence-building measures to ensure peace through accountability.
Should the Taliban continue to ignore these proposals, Pakistan is expected to intensify border surveillance, enhance aerial and electronic monitoring, and strengthen its defensive posture along the Durand Line. Diplomatic measures, including tighter trade and transit regulations, are also under consideration.
The Larger Picture
Analysts warn that the Taliban’s reluctance to confront terrorism not only endangers Pakistan but also threatens regional peace, trade, and stability. Militant networks operating with impunity could easily spill beyond South and Central Asia, reigniting global concerns over the resurgence of transnational extremism.
Pakistan’s message to the world is clear: its demands are rooted not in hostility, but in the universal right of every state to protect its citizens. The country has paid a heavy price in blood and sacrifice during two decades of the war on terror — a war fought not only for itself but for the peace and security of the wider international community.
An Appeal to Conscience
At a time when the world is seeking stability, Pakistan finds itself compelled to remind the Taliban of shared history and obligations. Friendship, officials say, cannot coexist with duplicity.
The people of Pakistan extended unmatched generosity and support to their Afghan brethren for generations; it is now Kabul’s turn to reciprocate — through responsibility, sincerity, and respect for peace.
If the Taliban remain unwilling to address the menace of terrorism, the burden will not only fall on Pakistan but on the conscience of those who choose silence over action.
