Kabul (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan have collapsed; however, a ceasefire still holds between the two South Asian countries, according to a Taliban spokesperson on Saturday.
The talks ended on Friday, without any resolution, shortly after the Taliban reported that several Afghan civilians were killed and others were wounded in clashes along the border with Pakistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the negotiations failed because Islamabad demanded that Afghanistan take on responsibility for Pakistan’s internal security. He called this demand more than what Afghanistan can handle.
But, he said,
“The ceasefire that has been established has not been violated by us so far, and it will continue to be observed.”
Pakistan had on Friday also affirmed that the discussions were at a deadlock, and no actual improvement was made as a ceasefire brokered by Qatar remained intact. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar expressed that Islamabad
“will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighbouring countries”.
How did the Taliban describe Pakistan’s approach in the talks?
As reported by Al Jazeera, Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders have blamed Pakistan for the lack of results after the talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye in Istanbul.
Two days of talks were conducted in good faith, with the Taliban expecting Islamabad to
“present realistic and implementable demands to reach a fundamental solution”,
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement published on social media on Saturday morning.
“During the talks, the Pakistani side attempted to refer all responsibilities regarding its security to the Afghan government, while at the same time it did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan’s security or its own.”
Mujahid asserted that Pakistan showed an “irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude,” which indicated that there was “no outcome” from the discussions.
How is Pakistan linking the Taliban to cross-border terrorism?
Pakistan argues that the Taliban leaders have not kept their promises made to the international community in the 2021 Doha peace agreement to fight terrorism.
Pakistan considers that the Kabul authorities are hosting armed groups, especially the Pakistan Taliban (Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan or TTP). This group has carried out many deadly attacks throughout Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan has conducted several air strikes inside Afghanistan. Last month, there were explosions in Kabul that the Taliban government attributed to Pakistan. The Taliban denies providing shelter to the TTP and insists it is dedicated to mutual security.
Mujahid said the Taliban
“will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor will it permit any country to use its territory to take actions against or support actions that undermine Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, independence, or security”.
He said the people of Pakistan are friends and brothers, but Kabul will firmly defend against any aggression.
What are the recent human and military losses on both sides?
Fighting that began in early October resulted in the deaths of 50 civilians and 447 injuries on the Afghan side of the border, according to the United Nations. Explosions in Kabul killed at least five people. The Pakistani army reported that 23 of its soldiers died in attacks by the Taliban and 29 others were wounded, but it did not mention any civilian casualties.
