- Defence minister blames Kabul’s interference, Delhi’s influence for stalled peace process
- Blames Kabul’s interference, Delhi’s hand for sabotaging near-deal, saying says Afghan side withdrew agreement four to five times
- Reiterates ‘Kabul is directly responsible for terrorism in Pakistan,’ warning any act of aggression from acrossborder would be met with a “response 50 times stronger
- Pakistan reiterates demand for verifiable action against TTP sanctuaries
- Mediators from Türkiye and Qatar attempt last-ditch effort to salvage dialogue
ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday revealed that an agreement with Afghanistan was “within reach” during the second round of Istanbul talks but was derailed several times after the Afghan negotiators “backpedaled” following instructions from Kabul.
Speaking on a TV programme, the defense minister said the Afghan side had withdrawn from an almost-concluded understanding “four or five times,” each time after consulting authorities in Kabul. “Whenever we got close to an agreement—either in the last four days or last week—when negotiators reported to Kabul, there was intervention and the agreement was withdrawn,” Asif said. “I believe the negotiations were sabotaged.”
Asif, who praised the Afghan delegation for engaging “hard but sincerely,” alleged that “the people in Kabul pulling the strings and staging the puppet show are being controlled by Delhi.” He claimed India was using Afghan territory to conduct a proxy war against Pakistan. “The junta there has elements that have visited India and their temples. India is compensating for its defeat on the western border through Kabul. It wants to engage in a low-intensity war with Pakistan—and for this, they are using Afghanistan,” he said.
The defence minister further asserted that the Afghan Taliban regime “lacked authority” and had been “penetrated by Indian influence,” describing Kabul’s actions as an extension of Delhi’s regional strategy.
When asked about recent Afghan threats of possible retaliation in the event of renewed hostilities, Asif responded firmly: “If Afghanistan even looks at Islamabad, we will gouge their eyes out. They can use terrorists—they already are. For the past four years, they have been using terrorists against us.”
He reiterated that “Kabul is directly responsible for terrorism in Pakistan,” accusing it of serving as a “tool for Delhi.” He warned that any act of aggression from across the border would be met with a “response 50 times stronger.”
Talks hit repeated roadblocks
According to security officials, the latest round of Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks—mediated by Türkiye and Qatar—continued for three days in Istanbul, marking the most extensive engagement between the two sides since the Doha round earlier this month.
The first session, held in Doha, followed deadly clashes between border forces and Pakistani strikes on Gul Bahadur group camps inside Afghanistan. The Doha meeting resulted in a 48-hour truce and a commitment to reconvene in Istanbul to develop a long-term framework for de-escalation and counterterrorism cooperation.
However, despite initial optimism, the Istanbul discussions soon ran into familiar hurdles. “During the 18-hour session on the third day, the Afghan Taliban delegation repeatedly agreed to Pakistan’s logical and legitimate demand for credible and decisive action against the TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and terrorism,” a senior security source said. “But their stance kept shifting after instructions from Kabul.”
Officials described the Kabul leadership’s interference as “illogical and illegal,” adding that it had directly caused the breakdown of progress. “We and the hosts wanted to resolve complex issues in a thoughtful, serious manner. But the Afghan side refused to commit in writing to verifiable guarantees,” another participant explained.
Despite the setbacks, a “last-ditch effort” was still underway to salvage the dialogue. “The talks are moving towards a final round,” a security source said, emphasizing Pakistan’s preference for a diplomatic resolution.
Mediators from Turkiye and Qatar echoed this view, noting that the very continuation of talks reflected mutual restraint. “Even if the discussions did not yield a breakthrough, the fact that both sides stayed engaged for three days is significant,” one mediator remarked. “It shows neither wants the process to collapse.”
Sources from the Pakistani delegation described the early rounds as “encouraging,” with “serious engagement” and “mutual understanding” on most points—except one: verifiable action against terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
“We kept hoping to sign a mutual document or at least issue a joint statement,” a participant said. “But the Taliban delegation remained reluctant to formalize anything in writing, especially regarding guarantees to dismantle the TTP network.”
Officials familiar with the matter said Pakistan had presented its final position earlier this week, making it clear that “the ongoing patronage of terrorists by the Afghan Taliban is unacceptable.”
‘Pakistan weighs role in Gaza peace force’
Meanwhile, in a separate televised interview, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the government was considering a proposal to send Pakistani troops as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza but said the decision was still “under process.”
“This matter has to be finalised and it is in process,” Asif said. “The government will make a decision after completing due procedure. Parliament will be taken onboard and all institutions will be informed.”
The ISF—part of the US-brokered Gaza peace plan finalised earlier this month—is designed to maintain internal security, assist humanitarian relief, and oversee reconstruction under a transitional Palestinian authority. Its mandate includes disarming militant factions and securing border crossings.
Asif said that if Muslim countries agreed to take part in the peace mission, Pakistan would consider participation “a moment of pride” and a moral responsibility to help protect Palestinians. “This is an opportunity Pakistan should avail if available to us,” he said.
Officials in Islamabad said Pakistan’s inclusion in the ISF aligns with its diplomatic and peacekeeping credentials. The country is one of the largest troop contributors to United Nations peace missions, having deployed over 200,000 personnel across more than 40 operations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
“This experience gives Pakistan’s forces unmatched expertise in managing volatile post-conflict environments,” an official said. “It also lends credibility and legitimacy to the ISF.”
Beyond moral and operational justifications, foreign policy imperatives also drive the proposal. “Joining the Gaza stabilization force could further strengthen Pakistan’s relations with the United States and key Muslim-majority nations,” officials added.
Persistent diplomacy amid regional flux
Analysts note that Islamabad’s engagement with both Kabul and the evolving Middle East peace framework reflects a broader effort to recalibrate Pakistan’s regional diplomacy.
While Pakistan continues to press for firm guarantees against cross-border terrorism, it is simultaneously seeking to project a constructive global image through humanitarian and peacekeeping roles.
“The dual approach—tough on security, proactive in peace efforts—underscores Pakistan’s shifting diplomatic posture,” a regional observer commented. “It aims to secure its borders while demonstrating leadership within the Muslim world.”
Despite the setbacks in Istanbul, officials said Pakistan remained committed to dialogue. “We still hope logic will prevail,” one security source concluded. “Our goal is peace through strength—and through perseverance.”
This was a delightful and educational read — thanks for sharing!
Pakistani delegation should come back now and strikes on TTA & TTP should restart now.