By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi November 8, 2025 Peace talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers have ended with no deal, but a cease-fire between the neighboring countries will continue. The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, blamed the collapse of the talks on the Pakistani delegation’s “irresponsible attitude and lack of cooperation.” Writing
The Diplomat: Afghanistan’s rugged terrain will make a potential ground war between Pakistan and the Taliban a hard one for Islamabad to win. Afghanistan could bleed Pakistan, leaving it struggling to recover from the damage inflicted over an extended period. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: The third round of high-level talks between delegations from the Taliban and Pakistan began on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey, multiple sources confirmed to Amu. Leading the negotiations are Abdul Haq Wasiq, the head of Taliban intelligence, and Asim Munir Malik, Pakistan’s intelligence chief. Other members of the Taliban delegation include Rahmatullah Najib, deputy interior
Amu: Abdul Haq Wasiq, the Taliban’s intelligence chief, will lead their delegation for the third round of talks with Pakistan in Istanbul, two sources confirmed. The delegation is expected in Istanbul on Wednesday, a day ahead of the new round of negotiations between the two sides. The second round of talks between a five-member Taliban
NDTV: Pakistan is working to shift the global narrative in its favour amid ongoing tensions with Afghanistan and uncertainty regarding peace negotiations with the interim Taliban government. To achieve this, Islamabad is portraying itself as a victim of cross-border terrorism, calling the Taliban uncooperative, seeking external support from Western and friendly Islamic nations on the
The Print: Pakistan massively enhanced the funding for Islamists in Afghanistan, hoping to bury ethnic nationalism. That strategy has now backfired spectacularly. Islamabad faces terrorists far better armed and equipped than ever in the past, who display the same contempt for borders that their ancestors did. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has described recent remarks by the Taliban’s spokesperson as “malicious and misleading,” saying the Taliban regime is responsible for the continued oppression of ethnic groups, women, and minorities in Afghanistan. Asif said the Taliban does not represent Afghanistan and is plagued by internal divisions and factionalism. Click here
Afghanistan International: Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has accused Pakistan’s military of fuelling instability to enable a United States return to Bagram Air Base, claiming that Islamabad’s recent actions are aimed at creating chaos. Mujahid said Pakistan’s airstrikes on Kabul, the failure of peace talks, and repeated threats show that Islamabad is “seeking a crisis so
Amu: Taliban and Pakistan will reconvene in Istanbul on November 6 for a principal-level meeting to finalize implementation mechanisms for a ceasefire agreement, according to a joint statement released by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the statement, the announcement follows six days of negotiations from October 25 to 30, facilitated by Türkiye
Khaama: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused India of using Afghanistan soil to wage a “limited war” against Pakistan, alleging growing ties between New Delhi and the Taliban. In an interview with Al Arabiya on Wednesday, Asif said evidence suggests India is exploiting its presence in Afghanistan to destabilise the region. Asif claimed there