Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks collapse amid rising tensions

Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan aimed at easing cross-border tensions collapsed in Turkey’s Istanbul, having failed to reach a “workable solution” as reported by France 24 via Reuters on October 29th. 

Talks proceeded from the ceasefire agreement which was inked in Qatar on October 19th, with the talks in Istanbul aimed at reaching lasting peace. This comes after dozens have been killed in border attacks. Attacks come amidst rising tensions in the region, such as the mass deportation campaign against undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan taking place in April this year. 

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that negotiations ended without progress, accusing the Afghan delegation of interfering with dialogue and refusing to address Islamabad’s security concerns.

The key security threat seen by Islamabad stems from the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), a militant group accused of operating with impunity inside Afghanistan. 

Sources from both sides believe that the Istanbul talks highlighted the widening division between the two countries, with Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif threatening “open war” over the lack of an agreement. This statement comes as Pakistan has looked to strengthen military production.  Efforts by Turkey and Qatar to mediate have so far failed to produce a lasting framework for cooperation.

Further attacks in the region could be detrimental to both sides as Afghanistan continues to face deepening humanitarian challenges. The Taliban’s restrictions on aid operations resulted in the closure of several UN-run centres providing aid to Afghan returnees, further isolating the country internationally.

Despite the October 19th ceasefire between Pakistan and the Taliban, in reality, both sides appear unwilling to compromise, leaving millions on both sides of the border facing the consequences of a conflict without a resolution.

France 24 via Reuters, Maghrebi.org