The fourth round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan began after the talks hit an impasse in Istanbul, after three days of negotiations.
Pakistani media sources claim that the mediators in Istanbul are trying to make a last-ditch effort for tangible results, but there remains a narrow space for talks, attributing it to the lack of guarantees from the Afghan Taliban regime to act on the demand of Pakistan to control terrorists operating from its territories. Pakistan also claims the Afghan side is reluctant to give any written guarantees, which makes the entire negotiation process less credible.
In the absence of any written guarantees, Pakistan has made it clear to the Afghan Taliban regime in Istanbul that any attack from terrorist organizations will be duly traced back to its root and will be responded to properly.
Both Sides Trade Blame as Mediators Struggle to Break Deadlock
Earlier in the day, Pakistani journalists reported that the talks in Istanbul had collapsed following a lack of commitment shown by the Afghan Taliban and their seriousness to address the issues raised by Pakistan. There have been several roadblocks during these three-day negotiations ongoing in Istanbul.
Pakistani media claims that despite acknowledging concerns of Pakistan, the Taliban’s unwillingness to commit to anything in writing is damaging the process. It further claimed that the mediators/hosts understand Pakistan’s concerns; however, Kabul and Kandahar are not willing to rescind their support for terrorist networks. The ongoing talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan are being mediated by Turkey and Qatar.
Other Pakistani sources, Khorasan Diary, quote that Pakistani diplomatic insiders claim the unreasonable and inconsistent guidance from Kabul as the primary reason for the dialogues to fail.
Meanwhile, the Afghan Taliban government officials in Kabul, voicing their concerns, placed the blame on Islamabad. Afghanistan’s TOLO News English, quoting the security sources in Afghanistan, claims that any attack by Pakistan on Afghan territory will be met with a reciprocal response, including the capital, Islamabad.
The TOLO news claims that the Afghan sources have claimed that the Afghan delegation is committed to the negotiations; however, the Pakistani delegation lacked such commitment and had demanded that the Islamic Emirate ensure Pakistan’s security.
Security sources told TOLOnews that from now on, any attack by Pakistan will be met with a reciprocal response, and if Afghanistan’s territory is bombed, “Islamabad will be targeted.”
The sources added that the Afghan side was committed to the negotiations but claimed that the… pic.twitter.com/SWLFZZkupa
— TOLOnews English (@TOLONewsEnglish) October 28, 2025
According to the sources quoted by the private Afghan media, the Pakistani delegation sabotaged the talks in Istanbul. Citing further sources, the media channel claims that the Pakistani delegation’s behavior during the talks was disorganized and inappropriate.
At first, Pakistan admitted during negotiations that it had an agreement with the United States, allowing drone strikes on Afghanistan, when the Afghan side asked Pakistan to guarantee that it would not violate Afghanistan’s airspace and would not allow U.S. drones to use Pakistani territory in its airspace, Pakistani delegation initially accepted some of these guarantees; however, they reverted their position after a phone call saying that it had no control over the U.S. drones and could not ensure any action against ISIS.
Turkey and Qatar Continue Mediation Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an impasse in Istanbul after three days of negotiations, with state media in both countries blaming each other for the failure to reach a deal on Tuesday, while Turkey continued efforts to end the deadlock.
The Istanbul talks are part of a broader diplomatic push to ease months of heightened tension between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border attacks and militant safe havens — issues that have strained relations since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan four years ago.
Delegations from the two neighbors remain in Turkey, but it was not immediately clear whether a fourth day of talks would be held.
Pakistan and Taliban regime’s talks in Istanbul hit roadblock once again with Taliban not willing to commit anything in writing, hosts understand Pakistan’s concerns but people in Kabul and Kandahar are not willing to let go of their support to terrorist networks. https://t.co/501X89DYp0
— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) October 27, 2025
Read more: Pakistan and Bangladesh discuss expanding trade and defense ties
Sources told TOLOnews that the Pakistani delegation’s behavior during the talks was disorganized and inappropriate.
For the first time, Pakistan admitted during these negotiations that it has an agreement with the United States allowing drone strikes, and claimed it cannot break… pic.twitter.com/g32qywcaek
— TOLOnews English (@TOLONewsEnglish) October 28, 2025
Pakistan Television reported early Tuesday that Turkish officials and representatives from several other countries are working to preserve the ceasefire agreed upon on October 19 in Doha, following the first round of negotiations. The agreement followed deadly cross-border clashes that killed dozens of soldiers, militants, and civilians on both sides.
Three Pakistani security officials who had direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that there is a deadlock in the talks in Istanbul over the reluctance of Kabul to accept what they described as Pakistan’s logical and legitimate demands about assurances that Afghan soil not be used against Pakistan.
The process has once again been salvaged and the negotiators are back. https://t.co/Kc3AvLnEFX
— Baqir Sajjad (@baqirsajjad) October 28, 2025
According to the Pakistani officials, the Taliban delegation was “not fully willing” to accept Pakistan’s proposals and continued to seek guidance from Kabul before making decisions.
There was no immediate response from Kabul about the Pakistani claims, repeated by Pakistan Television on Tuesday.
Afghanistan-controlled media RTA made similar accusations against the Pakistani side, saying Kabul “made every effort to hold constructive talks,” but that the “Pakistani side does not seem to have this intention.”
MEDIATORS BRING PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN TOGETHER FOR LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO ‘CONCLUDE PEACE TALKS’ IN TÜRKİYE
After an 18-hour inconclusive discussion, mediators have attempted to bring Pakistan and Afghanistan together in a last-ditch effort to conclude the peace talks and…
— The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) October 28, 2025
As the latest round of the talks was underway in Turkey, U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday pledged to help resolve the crisis between the two neighbors very quickly.
The recent fighting prompted Qatar to host the initial round of talks, which produced a ceasefire that both sides say is still holding despite the stalemate in Istanbul. There was no official statement from either side about the status of the talks.