Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that there is now a complete deadlock in the Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, and there is no schedule for the next round. He said Pakistan’s return from Istanbul empty-handed shows that even the mediators have lost hope in the Afghan side.
In a statement, Khawaja Asif expressed gratitude to Turkiye and Qatar for their sincere mediation efforts, saying both countries supported Pakistan’s stance throughout the process.
He said the Afghan delegation wanted Pakistan to accept their verbal assurances, which Islamabad refused, stressing that commitments made during international negotiations must always be in writing. “The Afghan delegation agreed with our position verbally but refused to record it in writing,” he added.
According to the Defence Minister, the talks have now effectively ended. “The mediators have also withdrawn. If they had seen any chance of progress, they would have asked us to stay, and we would have,” he said.
Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s return without any agreement is itself proof that the mediators no longer see any hope in the Afghan side. He warned that if any attack is launched from Afghan territory, Pakistan will respond accordingly.
He added that as long as no aggression comes from across the border, the ceasefire remains valid. “But if there is any violation from the Afghan side, Pakistan will deliver a firm and effective response. Our sole demand is that Afghan soil must not be used for attacks on Pakistan,” he said.
It may be recalled that the third round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul concluded earlier this week without any breakthrough.
