Islamabad: The crucial negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan concerning cross-border security and terrorism have reached a critical point and have now concluded. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced that there is currently no program for a next round of talks and confirmed a complete “deadlock” in the process.
Speaking on a Geo News program, the Defence Minister revealed that international mediators, including Turkey and Qatar, who were thanked for their sincere efforts, have also withdrawn from further involvement. He stated that had the mediators seen any sign of hope, they would have certainly asked Pakistan to delay its withdrawal. He pointed to Pakistan’s “returning empty-handed” as evidence that the mediators themselves hold no further expectations from the Afghan side.
Khawaja Asif identified the core reason for the failure, explaining that the Afghan delegation insisted their verbal assurances be considered final, which he stressed is not permissible in international diplomacy. He emphasized that any definitive agreement reached during such talks must be formulated in writing. He added that although the Afghan delegation was “agreeable to our position,” they refused to commit it to paper.
The Defence Minister reiterated Pakistan’s fundamental and non-negotiable demand: that the territory of Afghanistan must not be used to launch attacks against Pakistan. He issued a stern warning, stating that if any action originates from Afghan soil, Pakistan “will respond accordingly.” Conversely, he affirmed that if there is no activity from the Afghan side, a ceasefire remains in place from Pakistan’s side.
