Taliban reject Islamabad's demand, peace talks collapse

Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan have ended without an agreement, although a ceasefire between the two countries is still in place. A Taliban spokesman specified that the talks broke down because of Islamabad's demand that Afghanistan provide internal security for Pakistan, which the Taliban rejected as beyond its means.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif confirmed the failure of the talks held in Istanbul and said the ceasefire would remain in place as long as there were no attacks from Afghan territory.

On the same day, as the negotiations were continuing, a gun battle occurred along the common border. The October clashes, which followed Pakistani air strikes in Kabul and other cities, have left dozens dead and represent the worst violence since the Taliban came to power in 2021.

Militant groups operating in Afghanistan that are hostile to Pakistan remain a sticking point in the negotiations.

(reuters, max)