Peace talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban leaders ended without an agreement, but the ceasefire between the neighbouring countries will continue, Radio Azadi’s Radio Liberty Regional Service reports.
Taliban chief spokesman Zabigullah Mujahid blamed the failure of the talks on the “irresponsible stance and lack of co-operation” of the Pakistani delegation.
On his social media page X, Mujagid accused Islamabad of being “unprepared to take any responsibility for Afghanistan’s security, or even its own.”
He added that the ceasefire “has not been violated by us so far and it will continue”.
Earlier, Pakistani officials, notably Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, also said the Istanbul talks had collapsed, adding, “there are no plans for further talks.”
Asif warned that if Afghan territory was used to attack Pakistan, the ceasefire would end.
He had earlier warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to “open warfare”.
Several rounds of talks between Kabul and Islamabad, organised by Turkey and Qatar, have been held in Istanbul since last month. The latest talks were held on 6 and 7 November, led by Taliban intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq and Pakistan’s ISI chief Asim Malik.
The latest round of talks between the Taliban and Pakistan in Istanbul faced problems from the beginning; for example, the 6 November firefight in Boldak between Taliban soldiers and Pakistani troops.
Both sides blamed each other for starting the shooting. Local reports indicate civilian deaths in Spin Boldak. At least five civilians, including four women, were killed there, while six others were injured.
Bloody clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban in October killed at least 50 Afghan civilians and wounded about 450. the fighting was halted through mediation by Qatar and Turkey, and both sides declared a ceasefire.