Türkiye withdraws from Afghanistan-Pakistan mediation as border trade remains shut

Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad and Kabul.

The report by India’s News18 citing senior security and diplomatic sources said Turkish officials formally conveyed to Islamabad that Afghanistan is unwilling to accommodate Pakistan’s core security demands, prompting Ankara to withdraw from further mediation.

According to the outlet, multiple rounds of talks facilitated by Türkiye, alongside Qatar and Saudi Arabia, remained inconclusive.

The Afghan Taliban, the report said, rejected what it described as Pakistan’s “illegitimate” conditions for a wider settlement, arguing the demands undermine Afghanistan’s sovereignty.

News18 reported that Pakistan’s demands included handing over Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, establishing a 5-kilometre buffer zone along the Durand Line, tighter scrutiny of Afghan transit trade and goods movement, recognition of Pakistan’s security primacy, and the immediate repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

Security sources cited by the Indian media channel said Islamabad has warned that “any major terrorist attack” from Afghan soil would be treated as Kabul’s responsibility, and that Pakistan is prepared to protect its interests “by all means necessary”.

The report added that Pakistan has conveyed it could carry out strikes inside Afghanistan if cross-border attacks are not halted.

The tension between the two countries centres on Islamabad’s accusations that the TTP uses Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations and says it does not allow anyone to use Afghanistan to threaten other countries.

The trade fallout has also intensified pressure. Arab News Pakistan reported this week that exporters are losing an estimated $177 million each month due to the continued closure of key crossings.

Junaid Altaf, president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “The business community is being heavily affected by the border closures.” He also said “around 12,000 containers are stuck”.

On 8 January 2026, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Islamabad had no “bilateral dispute” with Kabul beyond militancy.

“We do not have any bilateral dispute with Afghanistan except for this one issue,” spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, adding Pakistan needs “verifiable assurances” the attacks will stop.

AnewZ has reached out to the Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi for comments on the matter.

Copied