Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan hit an impasse on Tuesday — with both countries blaming the other for failing to reach a deal. Delegations from both countries had little to show after three days of negotiations in Istanbul as several other nations worked to preserve a tenuous ceasefire. New revelations also came to light during the talks with Pakistan admitting to a ‘secret pact’ with a foreign nation that mandated its drone strikes.
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.
‘Secret pact’ with Pakistan?
According to a TOLO News report, the Pakistani delegation had been uncoordinated and seemingly keen to leave the negotiating table. The publication also quoted sources to add that they had asked the Afghan side to accept that Pakistan has the right to carry out attacks on Afghan soil during TTP assaults.
“It was also revealed that, for the first time, Pakistan admitted to having an agreement with a foreign country allowing drone strikes, and that it cannot prevent such strikes because breaking the agreement is not possible,” TOLO News reported.
Peace talks derailed
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 in accepting what they described as Pakistan’s logical and legitimate demands about assurances that Afghan soil not be used against Pakistan. They said the host country was trying to end the deadlock so that the final round of the talks can resume as soon as possible. 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.”