Opinion

Why Peace Remains Elusive Between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban?

(Shamim Shahid)  The failure of yet another round of discussions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul has once again highlighted the deep-rooted mistrust and conflicting priorities that continue to define relations between the two neighbours. Despite the efforts of mediating countries including Turkey, Qatar, Iran, and China, both sides remain entrenched in their

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Kabul, Afghan Taliban, Istanbul Talks, Pakistan Afghanistan Tensions, Afghan Safe Havens

Talibanisation as State Policy: Kabul’s New Tool to Blackmail Neighbours

Talks held in Doha collapsed before the failure of the Istanbul talks between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban-led Kabul administration, because Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif openly stated that the Afghan Taliban were unwilling to discuss the issues raised in Doha, and instead kept diverting the conversation. Regarding the Istanbul talks, Pakistan appears to have

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Pakistan’s Evidence vs Afghan Taliban’s Denial: Why the Peace Talks Keep Failing?

The talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban began on October 25 and are now in their fourth day. These discussions should have reached a mutually agreed conclusion by now, but they continue without any concrete result. The question arises: why did the talks have to be held in Qatar first, then in Turkey, instead

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Taliban, Istanbul Talks, Pakistan's War on Terror, Afghan Soil, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan

Pak-Taliban Blame Game Over Failed Talks؛ Yet One Side Stands on Solid Ground

Pakistan and the Taliban have blamed each other for the failure of three days of talks in Istanbul that were meant to secure a long-term ceasefire and reduce cross-border tensions. Taliban-run national television reported on Tuesday that “certain circles within the Pakistani army” were obstructing the negotiations. The broadcaster, quoting Taliban officials, claimed that the

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How Kabul’s Defiance Turned the Istanbul Talks into Another Diplomatic Dead End

( Irfan Khan )  The recent Istanbul negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have once again reached a dead end largely due to the obstinacy of the Afghan government. This diplomatic impasse not only underscores Kabul’s unwillingness to cooperate on vital security matters but also raises serious concerns about the future of regional peace and Pakistan-Afghanistan

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Istanbul Talks: Between Hope and Deadlock in Pak-Afghan Relations

(Shamim Shahid)  The Istanbul talks, currently underway between Pakistan and Afghanistan, mark the second and perhaps the most crucial phase of negotiations between the two uneasy neighbours. Convened on October 25, the three-day dialogue was expected to bring clarity on bilateral security concerns and the resurgence of cross-border militancy. Yet, despite the presence of high-level

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The Deadlock in Tirah: How KP’s Politics Is Undermining the War for Peace

Irfan Khan  The recent jirgas in Tirah Valley and the failed rounds of dialogue with the Taliban mark a decisive moment in Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. Despite repeated attempts at negotiation, the state’s patience has worn thin. Security officials have now delivered a clear, uncompromising message: “Work with us, hand over the militants, leave the area,

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Hangu Attack Exposes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Counterterrorism Gaps

Aqeel Yousafzai  The recent martyrdom of two police officers, including SP Zubair, in the Hangu bombing once again lays bare the grim reality that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the frontline of Pakistan’s unfinished war against terrorism. The tragedy exposes not only the persistence of militancy but also the provincial government’s chronic failure to equip and protect

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From Hangu to Kabul: The Unfinished War Pakistan Can’t Afford to Ignore

The terrorist attack in Hangu once again exposes the deep cracks in Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy and the absence of political will to back those fighting on the front lines. A police check-post was first targeted with an explosion, followed by a devastating attack on the convoy of SP Operations Asad Zubair, leading to his martyrdom

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