High-stakes negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, convened in Saudi Arabia last week, ended without a substantive breakthrough, though both sides reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the Doha-brokered ceasefire that has so far held despite recent tensions. The meeting formed part of a sequence of diplomatic efforts—hosted by Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia—aimed at easing friction that surged after deadly border clashes in October.
According to details shared with international media, including Reuters, the ceasefire agreement reached in Doha remains largely intact, yet attempts to secure a long-term security framework have not moved forward. Officials from both countries confirmed that the Saudi-hosted round took place under a proposal advanced by Riyadh, marking the latest initiative to stabilise a volatile border environment.
The follow-up talks held in Istanbul last month also failed to produce a durable arrangement, underscoring persistent disagreements that have complicated negotiations. The absence of forward movement continues to raise concerns over the situation along the Pakistan–Afghanistan frontier, where intermittent tensions have disrupted cross-border relations.
The October skirmishes, which left several people dead, sharply intensified mistrust. Pakistan has repeatedly sought written assurances from the Afghan Taliban that they will act decisively against Pakistan-focused militant groups operating from Afghan territory. However, Taliban authorities have declined to issue such guarantees, a stance that remains a central obstacle to progress.
Despite the stalemate, diplomatic actors involved in the process regard the continuation of the ceasefire as an essential stabilising factor. Regional facilitators—including Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia—are expected to sustain their engagement in hopes of preventing renewed hostilities and steering the two countries toward a more structured security understanding.
Additional rounds of dialogue are anticipated, though the timeline for the next meeting has yet to be confirmed.
