Pakistan says Afghan Taliban want to drag people into war as Istanbul talks fail

The Pakistan government announced on Tuesday that talks with an Afghan delegation in Istanbul had collapsed after the Afghan Taliban repeatedly shifted their position and refused to take action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on X that Pakistan had urged the Taliban to honour their commitments under the Doha agreement and take concrete steps to curb Indian-backed proxies, which Islamabad has labelled “Fitna al-Khawari” and “Fitna al-Hindustan,” active on Afghan territory.

Tarar added that the Taliban showed little willingness to address Pakistan’s concerns in a sincere or transparent manner. “Since the Taliban regime bears no responsibility toward the people of Afghanistan and sustains itself on a war economy, it seeks to drag the Afghan populace into needless conflict,” he said.

He emphasised Pakistan’s long standing commitment to peace in Afghanistan, saying Islamabad has repeatedly engaged the Taliban in talks and made significant sacrifices for regional stability.

“In that same spirit, Pakistan has held numerous rounds of dialogue with the Taliban regime, but unfortunately they have remained indifferent to the losses Pakistan has suffered,” Tarar said.

After four years of heavy human and material losses, the minister warned that Pakistan’s patience had limits. He said Islamabad entered negotiations at the urging of partner countries Qatar and Turkey, first meeting the Taliban in Doha and later in Istanbul.

While the initial phase of talks led both sides to agree to a ceasefire, Tarar said the second round was undermined by the Taliban’s shifting stance, as they followed instructions from Kabul, which blocked progress toward a peaceful resolution of terrorism threats that endanger thousands of Pakistani lives.

“We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our people from the menace of terrorism,” Tarar said, adding that the government would use all available resources to dismantle terrorist networks, their sanctuaries, and those who support them.