Monitoring Desk:
The third phase of discussions between delegations from Pakistan and the Afghan interim government continued for nearly 18 hours in Istanbul, according to diplomatic sources.
Officials familiar with the proceedings said the talks were focused on Pakistan’s repeated calls for concrete measures against cross-border militancy and groups involved in terrorist activities. During the extended negotiations, the Afghan delegation initially showed willingness to address Pakistan’s concerns, acknowledging the legitimacy of the issues raised.
However, sources revealed that the stance of the Afghan side shifted multiple times during the discussions, reportedly following instructions from their leadership in Kabul. These sudden policy reversals prevented the dialogue from reaching a conclusive outcome.
According to diplomatic insiders, the guidance sent from Kabul during the talks was described as “unreasonable and unconstructive,” which contributed to the stalemate.
Despite the deadlock, both sides — along with the host country — remain committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution through continued engagement. Sources indicated that a final round of talks is expected soon, with hopes of achieving meaningful progress through dialogue and mutual understanding.
The negotiations in Istanbul mark a significant effort by both governments to de-escalate tensions and strengthen border security cooperation, though challenges remain due to political rigidity and conflicting positions on counterterrorism efforts by the Afghan government.
