ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban are “not ready” to fully accept Pakistan’s “logical and reasoned” demands in the ongoing Istanbul talks, resulting in an impasse between the two sides, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital early Tuesday.
The dialogue is taking place amid a surge in militant attacks in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including recent incidents in Central Kurram and Dera Ismail Khan, where at least 28 Pakistani security personnel, among them senior officers, were martyred.
The Istanbul round is part of a broader diplomatic effort led by Qatar and Türkiye to sustain the ceasefire and ease tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The initiative follows a temporary 48-hour truce announced on Oct. 15 and later extended during the Doha discussions.
A security official familiar with the talks said the third day of negotiations had “also suffered from difficulties.”
“The Afghan Taliban delegation has acknowledged that Pakistan’s demands are reasonable. Even the host countries agree these demands are legitimate,” the official said. “However, the Afghan side is not ready to fully accept them.”
The official said that the delay stemmed from instructions coming directly from Kabul.
“The delegation repeatedly consults Kabul and is proceeding strictly according to their directives. It would be fair to say they are being controlled from Kabul,” the official added.
The source further said that resistance to progress may be coming from factions within the Afghan power structure.
“There has been no encouraging response so far. Some elements in Kabul appear to be working on another agenda,” the official said.
According to the source, both Türkiye and Qatar have conveyed to the Afghan side that accepting the negotiated points would be in the interest of all parties involved.
“Pakistan’s position remains logical, strong, and peaceful,” the official concluded.
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