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 […]
Pakistan’s Evidence vs Afghan Taliban’s Denial: Why the Peace Talks Keep Failing? Read More »
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
Pak-Taliban Blame Game Over Failed Talks؛ Yet One Side Stands on Solid Ground Read More »
( 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
How Kabul’s Defiance Turned the Istanbul Talks into Another Diplomatic Dead End Read More »
(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
Istanbul Talks: Between Hope and Deadlock in Pak-Afghan Relations Read More »
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,
The Deadlock in Tirah: How KP’s Politics Is Undermining the War for Peace Read More »
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
Hangu Attack Exposes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Counterterrorism Gaps Read More »
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
From Hangu to Kabul: The Unfinished War Pakistan Can’t Afford to Ignore Read More »
Shamim Shahid The controversy over the return of bulletproof vehicles by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has once again exposed the widening gap between the federal and provincial authorities a rift that continues to weaken Pakistan’s collective fight against terrorism. What began as a routine administrative matter has now evolved into a political flashpoint, revealing
Federal-Provincial Disconnect Undermines Counterterrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Read More »
Despite their internal rifts and power struggles, the Afghan Taliban remain one of the most potent threats to global security. Behind the façade of governance in Kabul lies a deeply fractured movement — divided between the Kandahari and Haqqani factions, undermined by infighting, yet still capable of exporting violence across borders. Their unwillingness to evolve,
Fractured but Dangerous: Afghan Taliban’s Split Ranks Pose Global Peril Read More »
The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan has arrived as a breath of cautious optimism, yet its future is far from certain. This brief agreement brokered in Doha is a positive first step; not a resolution, but a pause in a conflict that has strained what should have been a fraternal bond between two Muslim neighbours.
Ceasefire or Just a Pause? The Ball Is in Kabul’s Court Read More »
