Pakistan: Afghan Dialogue Hits a Brick Wall.

**Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Talks Collapse, Raising Fears of Renewed Border Clashes**

Pakistan: Afghan Dialogue Hits a Brick Wall.

Hopes for a lasting peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan have dimmed as crucial talks in Istanbul aimed at de-escalating border tensions have collapsed, according to both Pakistani and Afghan officials. The breakdown follows a series of mutual accusations of cross-border attacks, jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire brokered by Qatar.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced the deadlock in an interview with GEO News, stating that the negotiations had entered an "indefinite phase" with no immediate plans for a fourth round of talks. He emphasized that Pakistan would only accept a written agreement guaranteeing the cessation of attacks originating from Afghan territory. "They wanted verbal assurances to be accepted, which is not possible in international negotiations," Asif explained.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, confirmed the stalled negotiations, attributing the failure to Pakistan's insistence that Afghanistan take responsibility for Pakistan's internal security. Mujahid described this demand as exceeding Afghanistan's capacity. Despite the breakdown, Mujahid affirmed that the existing ceasefire, established after earlier talks in Doha, would continue to be observed by Afghanistan.

The Istanbul meeting, the third round of discussions between the two nations, was intended to address escalating tensions following deadly border clashes last month that resulted in numerous casualties. These clashes, the worst since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, were attributed to border security concerns and the presence of militant groups.

Adding to the complexity of the

Adding to the complexity of the situation, both sides accused each other of initiating gunfire along the border on the very day the Istanbul talks resumed. The incident near Spin Boldak, a border town in southern Afghanistan, underscored the volatile nature of the relationship and the challenges in maintaining the ceasefire.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters, a claim vehemently denied by the Taliban administration in Kabul. This accusation forms a significant point of contention between the two nations and has fueled the recent escalation of tensions.

While Asif expressed gratitude to Türkiye and Qatar for their mediation efforts, the collapse of the Istanbul talks raises serious concerns about the potential for renewed and intensified border clashes. The failure to reach a written agreement leaves the future of the ceasefire uncertain and underscores the deep-seated mistrust between the two neighboring countries. The international community will be closely watching to see if further diplomatic efforts can revive the peace process and prevent a further deterioration of the security situation in the region.