ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The ongoing Istanbul Talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime have reportedly reached an impasse after what officials in Islamabad described as “the intransigent and non-serious attitude” of the Afghan delegation.
According to official and diplomatic sources, the Afghan Taliban regime has now directed its social media-linked accounts to launch a campaign aimed at shifting blame for the breakdown in talks.
The coordinated messaging reportedly promotes the narrative that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) issue is Pakistan’s internal matter, that Afghanistan faces terrorism from Pakistan through ISIS, and that Pakistan does not recognize Afghanistan’s independence.
Pakistani officials have categorically rejected these claims, calling them a “devious attempt to deflect global attention” from the Taliban regime’s failure to curb cross-border terrorism and its continuing support for the TTP.
“This narrative being peddled by Kabul is a clear indication of their non-seriousness and duplicity. The Afghan delegation arrived at the Istanbul Talks with premeditated instructions and no real intention to cooperate,” a senior Pakistani security official said, requesting anonymity.
The official further alleged that the Taliban regime was acting under foreign influence, particularly from India, to derail the peace process and blame Pakistan for its own failures in countering militant groups.
“By fabricating a non-existent ISIS threat from Pakistan, the Taliban are following the same propaganda playbook as their Indian handlers — blaming others while giving sanctuary to global terrorist groups,” the official added.
Pakistan reiterated that it has always recognized and defended Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence, recalling its decades-long humanitarian and political support for the Afghan people, including hosting millions of Afghan refugees and assisting during periods of foreign intervention.
“Insinuating that Pakistan does not accept Afghan independence is baseless and malicious,” the official noted. “Pakistan has consistently called for peace and stability in Afghanistan — but the Taliban must ensure that Afghan soil is not used against Pakistan.”
Diplomatic analysts say the breakdown of the Istanbul Talks was inevitable given the Taliban regime’s unwillingness to take action against TTP sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan has maintained that its patience is not unlimited, and that it reserves the right to undertake all necessary measures to protect its borders and citizens, with or without Afghan cooperation.
