Last-ditch effort underway to salvage talks with Kabul despite Taliban’s ‘stubbornness’: security sources Azad News HD
Islamabad and Kabul in a Diplomatic Tug of War: Last-Ditch Efforts to Rescue Fragile Talks Amid Afghan Taliban’s Stubbornness
A last-ditch effort is reportedly underway to salvage the faltering dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul, as tensions continue to simmer over border security, counterterrorism cooperation, and the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. Security sources in Islamabad revealed on Tuesday that while Pakistan remains committed to diplomacy, the Afghan Taliban’s persistent “stubbornness” and unwillingness to address Pakistan’s core concerns have pushed bilateral relations to the brink of a new crisis.
The stakes are high. Both nations share a 2,600-kilometer porous border, deep historical ties, and mutual dependence for trade and regional stability. Yet, since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, relations have oscillated between cautious cooperation and outright hostility. Islamabad’s patience is visibly wearing thin, especially amid escalating cross-border attacks targeting Pakistani security personnel and civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The Immediate Crisis: A Dialogue on the Edge
According to senior security and diplomatic officials, the current round of backchannel contacts—led by intelligence and foreign ministry representatives—aims to restore communication channels that have nearly collapsed. Pakistan reportedly conveyed to the Afghan side that continued inaction against TTP militants based in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Paktika provinces would make dialogue meaningless.
“The situation has reached a critical point,” one senior Pakistani security official said. “Islamabad has been patient for over two years, but the Afghan Taliban leadership is showing no flexibility. They continue to deny the presence of TTP camps and refuse to act against them. The talks are hanging by a thread.”
The Afghan Taliban government in Kabul, for its part, maintains that it does not allow any group to use its soil against neighboring countries. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reiterated this line, saying, “Afghanistan wants good relations with Pakistan, but it will not bow to pressure. The Islamic Emirate is an independent government and will not take dictation.”
The Roots of the Rift: TTP and Cross-Border Militancy
The primary sticking point between Islamabad and Kabul remains the TTP—a banned outfit responsible for hundreds of attacks across Pakistan over the past decade. Despite repeated assurances from Kabul that it would prevent the group’s activities, Pakistan claims that TTP militants continue to find safe haven inside Afghanistan.
Intelligence assessments shared with the Afghan side reportedly indicate that TTP commanders, including Noor Wali Mehsud, operate freely from Afghan territory. Pakistan’s frustration stems from the fact that many of these militants were released from Afghan jails when the Taliban seized power in 2021, despite Islamabad’s prior warnings.
Since then, the TTP has regrouped, rearmed, and restructured its network, launching deadly assaults across Pakistan’s tribal districts and urban centers. The group’s resurgence has cost the lives of hundreds of Pakistani soldiers and civilians.
Islamabad insists that Kabul must rein in the TTP or hand them over, arguing that no meaningful relationship can exist as long as these militants continue to target Pakistan. But Kabul’s refusal to comply—combined with its ideological affinity with the TTP—has created an impasse.
Diplomatic Overtures and Frustration
Over the past year, Pakistan has engaged in multiple diplomatic overtures to resolve the matter peacefully. Delegations led by senior officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Foreign Office, and the Ministry of Interior visited Kabul several times, urging concrete action against the TTP.
Despite polite receptions and verbal assurances, Islamabad has seen little tangible progress. The Afghan Taliban have instead proposed that Pakistan “negotiate directly” with the TTP—an idea Islamabad now firmly rejects after the collapse of earlier peace efforts in 2022. Those talks, facilitated by Kabul, ended disastrously after the TTP resumed violence, claiming that Islamabad had violated the terms of a temporary truce.
A Pakistani diplomat involved in those earlier efforts said, “We went the extra mile for peace. We even agreed to relocate some displaced militants and offered incentives. But every concession was met with betrayal. The Afghan Taliban either cannot or will not control them.”
The Border Question: The Durand Line Dispute Reignites
Another factor aggravating tensions is the renewed dispute over the Durand Line—the internationally recognized border dividing Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite decades of mutual understanding, the Taliban regime has increasingly challenged Pakistan’s right to fence and secure the border.
Clashes between border guards have erupted several times in recent months, particularly near Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Chaman. The Afghan side has repeatedly removed Pakistani fencing, accusing Islamabad of “dividing Pashtun lands.” Pakistan, on the other hand, insists that border management is essential to prevent cross-border terrorism and smuggling.
Security officials believe that the Taliban’s position on the border reflects its growing nationalism and desire to assert sovereignty rather than act as a proxy power. However, Pakistan views these actions as provocations that undermine regional stability.
Economic and Trade Strains
Beyond security issues, the diplomatic strain has begun affecting trade and transit. Afghanistan remains dependent on Pakistani ports for imports and exports, while Pakistan relies on cross-border trade routes for access to Central Asia. Yet, frequent border closures, new tariffs, and administrative hurdles have disrupted commerce.
In recent months, Pakistan has tightened customs and visa procedures for Afghan truck drivers and traders, citing smuggling concerns. Kabul responded by imposing new taxes and occasionally shutting border crossings in retaliation. The resulting economic slowdown has hurt both sides, particularly border communities whose livelihoods depend on trade.
A Pakistani trade official said, “We have reached a point where security concerns are dictating economic policy. It’s unsustainable. Both countries are losing millions every day due to mistrust.”
The Afghan Taliban’s “Stubbornness” and Strategic Posture
Security sources in Islamabad describe the Afghan Taliban’s attitude as increasingly defiant. “They act as if they owe nothing to Pakistan,” one senior official remarked. “Despite our support during their struggle and even after their victory, they now reject every suggestion and refuse to acknowledge their obligations.”
This “stubbornness,” according to analysts, stems from multiple factors. First, the Taliban’s leadership seeks to assert independence and legitimacy by rejecting external influence. Second, internal divisions among Taliban factions make it difficult for Kabul to adopt a unified stance. Hardline commanders oppose yielding to Pakistan’s demands, fearing it would be seen as weakness.
Third, the Taliban’s growing ties with other regional actors—especially China, Iran, and Russia—have emboldened it to adopt a tougher posture. These relationships provide political alternatives and economic leverage, reducing its reliance on Islamabad.
Islamabad’s Dilemma: Carrot, Stick, or Both?
Within Pakistan’s policymaking circles, there is now a vigorous debate over how to handle Kabul. The options on the table include maintaining diplomatic engagement, increasing border security operations, tightening trade routes, or even conducting limited cross-border counterterrorism actions.
Some hawkish voices in the security establishment argue that only forceful measures will compel the Taliban to act against the TTP. They point to recent precision strikes targeting TTP hideouts near the border as examples of Pakistan’s growing frustration.
Others, however, caution against escalation. “A military confrontation with Afghanistan would be disastrous,” said a senior retired diplomat. “We cannot afford to open another front when our own economy and security situation are fragile. Diplomacy—however frustrating—remains our best option.”
Pakistan’s foreign ministry has thus adopted a measured tone, emphasizing “constructive engagement” while maintaining that all options remain open.
The Role of Regional Players
Regional powers are watching the Islamabad-Kabul rift with growing concern. China, which has invested heavily in regional connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), views stability in Afghanistan as vital for its economic ambitions. Beijing has repeatedly urged both sides to resolve differences peacefully and has offered to mediate discreetly.
Iran, meanwhile, has its own uneasy relationship with the Taliban but shares Pakistan’s concern over the rise of militant groups near its borders. Tehran’s recent skirmishes with Afghan border forces mirror Islamabad’s experience, reinforcing the perception that the Taliban are increasingly uncooperative neighbors.
Russia and Central Asian republics, too, worry that instability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border could spill over into their territories, threatening their security. Moscow has quietly supported Pakistan’s demand that Kabul crack down on transnational militants.
The International Angle: Western Disengagement and Pakistan’s Predicament
With the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2021, the burden of maintaining regional stability has largely fallen on neighboring countries. Washington’s disengagement has left a vacuum that Pakistan, China, and Russia have tried to fill—but with limited success.
Western governments, while critical of the Taliban’s human rights record, still rely on Pakistan for insights into Afghanistan’s evolving dynamics. Islamabad, however, feels increasingly isolated, forced to manage a volatile border with limited international support.
Pakistan’s repeated calls for global engagement with the Taliban to ensure regional security have largely gone unheeded. Now, as the Taliban’s behavior grows more assertive, Islamabad finds itself caught between principle and pragmatism.
Humanitarian and Refugee Dimensions
Adding to the complexity is the humanitarian situation and refugee crisis. Pakistan hosts over 3 million Afghan refugees, with hundreds of thousands more having entered illegally since the Taliban takeover. Islamabad’s recent crackdown on undocumented migrants—ordering thousands of Afghans to leave—has further strained relations.
Kabul has condemned the deportations, calling them “un-Islamic and inhumane.” Pakistan insists the policy targets only illegal residents and is necessary for national security. The deportation drive, however, has inflamed public opinion in Afghanistan, where anti-Pakistan sentiment is running high.
Human rights organizations have urged Pakistan to reconsider mass expulsions, warning of potential humanitarian fallout. Yet, the government maintains that its borders cannot remain open indefinitely, especially when many deportees have ties to militant networks.
Public Sentiment and Political Pressure
Within Pakistan, public frustration with the Taliban is growing. Once seen as ideological allies, the Taliban are now widely perceived as ungrateful and duplicitous. Television talk shows, editorials, and social media are filled with demands for a tougher stance.
“The Taliban were nurtured and supported by Pakistan for decades, and this is how they repay us,” one commentator lamented on national television. “They shelter our enemies and insult our sovereignty. Enough is enough.”
Political parties across the spectrum have also weighed in. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has urged the government to take a firm line, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused the ruling coalition of diplomatic failure. Religious parties, however, remain divided—some advocating engagement with the Taliban as “brothers in faith,” while others express alarm at their radicalism.
The Security Situation on the Ground
On the security front, the situation remains grim. Cross-border attacks have surged, with Pakistani soldiers frequently coming under fire from militants operating inside Afghan territory. In recent weeks, several Pakistani security personnel have been martyred in ambushes along the border.
Intelligence reports suggest that the TTP enjoys safe passage within Afghanistan, maintaining training camps and supply chains. Pakistani officials claim to have shared precise coordinates of these camps with the Taliban government—but with no visible action taken.
The Pakistan Army has increased its presence in sensitive districts like North Waziristan, Bajaur, and Chitral. New surveillance systems, drones, and fortified check-posts have been deployed, signaling a shift toward more aggressive border management.
Prospects for Peace: Glimmers of Hope or Illusion?
Despite the bleak outlook, some diplomats remain cautiously optimistic. They argue that both Islamabad and Kabul ultimately need each other. Afghanistan’s economy depends heavily on trade and energy transit through Pakistan, while Pakistan requires a stable western frontier to focus on internal economic recovery.
Backchannel contacts continue through intelligence intermediaries and friendly nations such as Qatar and China. Reports suggest that a new confidence-building framework—possibly involving joint border patrols or intelligence sharing—has been proposed. However, progress remains slow due to mistrust and political posturing.
A senior Pakistani diplomat described the situation as “a dialogue of deaf ears,” saying, “We keep talking, but they don’t listen. Yet we cannot afford silence either.”
The Way Forward: Diplomacy Under Pressure
To salvage the dialogue, experts recommend a multi-layered approach combining diplomacy, economic leverage, and regional coordination. Pakistan could link trade incentives and transit access to Kabul’s cooperation against the TTP. At the same time, engaging other Muslim-majority countries could add pressure on the Taliban to fulfill international obligations.
Analysts also stress the importance of maintaining moral and political clarity. “Pakistan must differentiate between the Afghan people and the Taliban regime,” one scholar noted. “Our policies should support Afghan civilians while holding the Taliban accountable for cross-border violence.”
Conclusion: Between Patience and Power
As the last-ditch diplomatic efforts unfold, the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship stands at a defining crossroads. The window for peaceful resolution is narrowing, and the cost of failure could be severe—not just for bilateral ties but for regional peace.
Islamabad faces a delicate balancing act: maintaining dialogue without appearing weak, defending its sovereignty without provoking conflict, and protecting its citizens while upholding regional stability. Kabul, too, must recognize that its survival and legitimacy depend on responsible behavior, not defiance.
If the Afghan Taliban continue their “stubbornness,” Pakistan may be forced to rethink its entire Afghan policy—from security cooperation to border management and refugee engagement. Conversely, if both sides can rebuild trust, they could turn a history of suspicion into a framework for coexistence.
For now, all eyes remain on the quiet corridors of diplomacy—where Pakistani envoys and Taliban representatives struggle to keep alive a dialogue that may determine the region’s future.
