Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan aimed at securing a lasting truce after recent deadly border clashes have collapsed, Islamabad announced Wednesday, as negotiations stalled despite mediation efforts.
After four days of discussions in Istanbul mediated by Qatar and Turkey, “the dialogue failed to produce any viable solution,” Pakistan said in a statement.
The rare confrontation began two weeks ago when the Taliban government launched an offensive along the border following explosions in Kabul that Pakistani authorities blamed on their neighbor.
A ceasefire brokered by Qatar about ten days ago temporarily halted the fighting, which caused civilian casualties.
The border between the two countries has remained closed for two weeks, with only Afghan migrants expelled or deported from Pakistan allowed to cross.
Facing a resurgence of attacks on its security forces, Pakistan had hoped the talks would lead Kabul to prevent anti-Pakistani “terrorist” groups from operating on its territory. The Afghan government has denied supporting such groups and reiterated its commitment to upholding Afghanistan’s territorial integrity.
