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.
Türkiye could become an increasingly important outlet for Iraqi crude as Baghdad develops new export routes to reduce its reliance on the Stra...
Operations at several energy facilities in Saudi Arabia were suspended on Tuesday after attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces injured more than 70 ...
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at leas...
At least five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, 6 September, local officials said.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” in its war against Iran had changed “before it is too late”, a day after Washington struck several Iranian tankers in the Gulf.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
Indonesia has reopened Jakarta's main airport and four others after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced widespread flight cancellations, though fresh eruptions have kept authorities on alert.
Twelve countries said on Tuesday they would introduce, support or consider trade restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, increasing pressure on Israel over settlement expansion.
France will move to restrict imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, joining 11 other countries backing or considering similar measures, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday a €200 million ($232 million) deal with Greenland, called the Global Gateway Partnership Package, aimed at strengthening the EU-Greenland partnership, amid growing U.S. interest in the Arctic island.
Britain is set to ban trade in goods and some services from Israeli settlements in the West Bank as the government steps up efforts to protect the prospects of a two-state solution.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment