'They want needless war': Pakistan after failed talks with Taliban
What's the story
Pakistan has accused Afghanistan's Taliban of wanting a "needless war" after talks for a long-term truce failed. The discussions, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, ended in Istanbul without any agreement. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the talks "failed to bring about any workable solution," blaming the Taliban's lack of commitment to curb cross-border terrorism.
Accusations made
India accused of controlling Taliban
Tarar also accused India of controlling the Taliban and backing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an armed group that frequently attacks Pakistan from Afghanistan. A Pakistani security source told Reuters that the Taliban was not ready to control TTP, while an Afghan source said talks ended after "tense exchanges" on this issue. The Afghan delegation claimed they had no control over TTP.
Stalled negotiations
Pakistan accuses Taliban of evading key security issues
Tarar said that Pakistan's patience has run its course and warned that Islamabad would "continue to take all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism." He claimed Pakistan provided "sufficient and irrefutable evidence" to the Taliban about terrorists, but they kept evading key security issues. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also claimed negotiations were sabotaged after Afghan negotiators reported back to Kabul. He alleged that the Taliban was being "controlled by Delhi."
Escalating tensions
Pakistan, Taliban's worst clashes since 2021
Earlier this month, Pakistan and the Taliban had their worst clashes since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021. The violence included cross-border attacks, shelling, and airstrikes, leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured. Pakistan has mostly blamed the surge in attacks on the TTP, a group closely allied to the Taliban in Afghanistan.