Istanbul talks collapse

EDITORIAL: A pre-dawn announcement by country’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar about the collapse of latest round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Turkish capital that were aimed at addressing cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan soil seems to have dashed hopes for peace on the Pak-Afghan border, and an end to the Afghanistan-based militants’ forays into Pakistan.

The Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul continued to remain in a stalemate as the Taliban regime once again remained unwilling or unable to take verifiable action against the TTP, BLA, and other militant outfits responsible for repeated cross-border attacks into this country. For years, Pakistan has exercised restraint and pursued dialogue in the hope that Kabul would act responsibly to prevent its territory from being used by terrorists. Yet the lack of any progress has left Islamabad with no choice but to assert its red lines more firmly.

Pakistan’s delegation made its position clear during the first two days of the talks, presenting photographic and documentary evidence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, including details of their leadership structures, training locations, and movements. The evidence, officials said, leaves no room for ambiguity about where the threat originates.

The Taliban delegation’s response to Pakistan’s “final position” proposal, particularly its suggestion to negotiate with the TTP leadership, only deepened frustration on our side. That is out of the question. The TTP is a declared terrorist organisation that has targeted civilians and soldiers alike. To equate dialogue with normality in this case is to ignore the blood of thousands of Pakistanis who have fallen — and continue to fall — victim to terrorism. There can be no negotiations with those who wage war on the Pakistani state.

For its part, Pakistan made it unequivocally clear that the ongoing patronage of terrorists by the Afghan Taliban is unacceptable. What is also stirring up trouble — as noted by an official in a thinly veiled reference to the Kabul regime’s recent warming up to India — is that the Taliban delegation “appeared to be following someone else’s agenda.” Events on the ground further reinforced Islamabad’s stance. Even as the talks were underway, Pakistani security forces thwarted multiple infiltration attempts from across the Afghan border, once again proving the urgency of Pakistan’s concerns.

Pakistan’s message in Istanbul was unambiguous: the patronage or tolerance of terrorists by the Afghan Taliban will not be tolerated. This country will do whatever it takes to safeguard its citizens and territory. While the preference remains for diplomatic and regional solutions, Islamabad will not hesitate to exercise all necessary options to neutralise the threat emanating from across its western frontier.

Pakistan’s patience should never be mistaken for weakness. The choice now lies squarely with the Taliban: to act decisively against terrorism or risk deepening isolation and instability. Unless the Afghan authorities match words with results, Pakistan will have to act to defend its peace and security — as any responsible nation must.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025