Peace talks with Pakistan failed, but ceasefire still holding: Spox
3 Min Read
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain at odds after failed peace talks, with disputes over cross-border militancy stalling progress despite the continuation of a fragile ceasefire.
-
Afghan servicemen patrol along the border in the Zazai Maidan district of Khost province, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, after overnight clashes with Pakistan's forces (AP)
Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan have collapsed, though the ceasefire between the two neighbours remains in effect, Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday.
He explained that the negotiations failed because Islamabad demanded that Kabul take responsibility for Pakistan’s internal security, a condition he described as beyond Afghanistan’s “capacity".
Still, the spokesperson emphasized, “The ceasefire that has been established has not been violated by us so far, and it will continue to be observed.”
On Friday, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif confirmed that the talks, held in Istanbul to prevent renewed border clashes, had fallen through.
He noted that the ceasefire would continue as long as there were no attacks originating from Afghan territory.
5 killed in Afghanistan-Pakistan border clash amid peace talks
Tensions flared again on Thursday when Afghan and Pakistani forces briefly exchanged fire along the shared border, the same day peace negotiations resumed in Istanbul.
At least five civilians were killed and six others were injured in the brief cross-border exchange of fire.
According to an official at the Spin Boldak district hospital in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, "Five people died in today’s incident, four women and one man, and six were wounded.” No casualties were immediately reported from the Pakistani side.
Afghanistan, Pakistan trade accusations
Both governments swiftly traded accusations over who initiated the firing.
Mujahid said on X that “while the third round of negotiations with the Pakistani side has begun in Istanbul, unfortunately, this afternoon Pakistani forces once again opened fire on Spin Boldak.”
He added that Afghan forces refrained from retaliating “out of respect for the negotiation team and to prevent civilian casualties.”
Islamabad rejected the claim, accusing Afghan forces of opening fire first.
“We strongly reject claims circulated by the Afghan side,” Pakistan’s Information Ministry said.
“Firing was initiated from the Afghan side, to which our security forces responded immediately in a measured and responsible manner.”
Wider context
Turkey, mediating the dialogue, announced last week that the two countries had agreed to form a joint mechanism to monitor and penalise ceasefire violations.
Last month, the United Nations reported that at least 50 civilians were killed and more than 440 were wounded on the Afghan side during a week of border clashes in October, while Pakistan said 23 of its soldiers were killed and 29 others were wounded.
The recurring violence underscores deep mistrust between the two neighbours. Islamabad continues to accuse Kabul of harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who launch cross-border attacks.
Read more: 6 soldiers, 6 militants killed in suicide bombing in Pakistan
