DG ISI-led delegation returns to country; Minister says Pak concerns center on security; Turkiye, Qatar praised
Minister of Information and Radio, Attaullah Tarar. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
Talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime in Istanbul on Friday ended without a breakthrough as the Pakistani delegation went home.
Citing sources, the state media confirmed that the Pakistani delegation led by Director General ISI Lt. Asim Malik started departing from Istanbul.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also confirmed that the latest round ended in a stalemate with no plans for further talks in the near future.
“The round has ended without an agreement,” a security source confirmed, adding that the two sides held several sessions in recent days under the mediation of Turkey and Qatar.
After the end of the talks, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar issued a statement reaffirming Pakistan’s principled position and expressing appreciation for the mediation role of Turkey and Qatar.
“Pakistan thanks Turkey and Qatar for their help during the dialogue process,” Tarar said.
“Pakistan remains steadfast in its position that the responsibility for controlling terrorism emanating from Afghan territory rests with Afghanistan.”
The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s concerns were rooted in security and sovereignty, not hostility, and that Islamabad’s expectations from Kabul were in line with international obligations.
Tarar further accused the Afghan Taliban government of failing to fulfill its international, regional and bilateral commitments, including those made under the 2021 Doha Peace Agreement.
“The Afghan Taliban have so far failed to honor their commitments under the 2021 Doha Agreement,” Tarar said.
The minister said Pakistan’s engagement with the Taliban regime was guided by goodwill towards the Afghan people, but warned that Islamabad would not support any actions by the Taliban government that harm the interests of Afghan citizens or neighboring countries.
“Pakistan reiterates its goodwill towards the Afghan people and its desire for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan,” he said.
“But Pakistan will not support any measures by the Taliban government that are against the interests of the Afghan people or its neighbors.”
Affirming Islamabad’s resolve, Tarar said Pakistan would continue to take all necessary steps to protect its people and sovereignty.
“Pakistan will continue to take all essential measures for the protection of its citizens and national sovereignty,” he asserted.
The Istanbul talks were part of a wider diplomatic effort to ease strained ties between the two neighbours.
In recent months, Pakistan has repeatedly accused Taliban authorities of turning a blind eye to the outlawed TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan, while Kabul has accused Islamabad of violating its airspace and imposing undue pressure.
Despite mediation by Turkiye and Qatar, sources familiar with the talks said the atmosphere in Istanbul was tense and unproductive, with the Afghan side calling Pakistan’s demands “unrealistic” and politically motivated.
With the latest round ending in a stalemate, both countries appear no closer to resolving the security issue, raising fears of further escalation along their shared border.
