Pakistan is signaling a renewed commitment to revive peace, as it prepares to reopen talks with the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul. The move comes after a recent four-day diplomatic round in the Turkish city that ended without a breakthrough.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that while Islamabad laid out “sufficient and irrefutable evidence” of anti-Pakistan militant activity, Kabul failed to provide written guarantees or take verifiable steps in response. He warned that Pakistan will continue to pursue “all possible measures” to defend its security if guarantees are not met.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also voiced frustration, alleging that Islamabad was close to finalising an agreement multiple times, “four or five times”, but the Afghan delegation backpedalled after receiving fresh instructions from Kabul. Islamabad’s core demand remains firm: decisive and verifiable action against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it accuses of operating from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
Tarar criticized the Taliban for evading the key issue during negotiations. “Instead of accepting any responsibility, the Afghan Taliban resorted to a blame game, deflection, and ruses. The dialogue thus failed to bring about any workable solution.” He argued that Pakistan has repeatedly engaged in dialogue, first in Doha, then in Istanbul, but that the Taliban has shown indifference toward Pakistan’s losses.
Mediators from Qatar and Turkey, who helped arrange the dialogue, were thanked by Pakistan, but Tarar expressed disappointment that, despite their involvement, the Taliban did not commit to enforceable counter-terrorism cooperation.
Observers say Islamabad’s renewed push indicates that, despite the failure in Istanbul, Pakistan is still betting on diplomacy as its primary tool, but one backed by firm demands.
