Pakistan and Afghanistan peace talks concluded in Istanbul on October 27, 2025 without making significant headway. Despite efforts by mediators from Turkey and Qatar, Pakistan’s core counterterrorism demands were not met by Afghan representatives who appear to have received orders from Kabul. Negotiations efforts thus reached an impasse and negotiations broke off altogether.
Pakistan was particularly concerned by allegations that Afghan Taliban provided sanctuary to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an extremist militant group responsible for attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad presented a comprehensive counterterrorism plan and demanded concrete actions be taken against TTP and other militant groups operating out of Afghan territory, but Afghan officials denied these allegations, maintaining that Taliban lack control over TTP which has recently targeted Pakistani forces.
Sources attributed the Afghan delegation’s resistance to Pakistan’s demands as being due to directives from Taliban leaders in Kabul and Kandahar. Sources reported that Afghan negotiators were constrained by these directives, leading to delays and no meaningful engagement during talks. Mediators acknowledged Pakistan’s demands as reasonable while noting how Afghan side’s inflexibility had prevented forward movement.
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Failure to reach an agreement at Istanbul has raised doubts over the sustainability of a ceasefire brokered in Doha on October 19. Though the truce has held for some time now, both sides have accused each other of violating it, and tensions along the 2,600km border remain high. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned that failure to find a resolution may result in “open war”.
Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to grapple with complex security challenges in the region, as evidenced by Pakistan’s demand for action against TTP as an expression of their concerns over cross-border militancy and effective counterterrorism measures; Afghanistan denied these allegations due to differing national interests and perspectives on regional issues.

As the situation escalates, the international community remains vigilant, calling upon both Pakistan and Afghanistan to engage in constructive dialogue with each other to address underlying issues and avoid further escalation. Future negotiations will play an important role in shaping both relations between both countries as well as stability across the region.