Taliban regime failed to act on terrorism, ignored commitments during third round of talks: FO

Pakistan criticised Afghanistan’s Taliban regime for failing to act against terrorist groups launching cross-border attacks and for ignoring commitments made during dialogue, warning that “hollow promises and inaction” were undermining regional peace despite repeated diplomatic efforts.

In a statement issued in response to media queries on Sunday, the Foreign Office said the third round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, held in Istanbul on November 7 and mediated by Turkiye and Qatar, ended without progress as the Taliban delegation “avoided taking any measures on ground.”

“Pakistan deeply appreciates the sincere efforts made by brotherly Turkiye and Qatar to mediate the differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the core issue of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil,” the spokesperson said.

The statement said that since the Taliban regime took control of Kabul in 2021, Pakistan had faced “a sharp surge in terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan soil,” mostly by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates.

“Despite suffering military and civilian casualties, Pakistan exercised maximum restraint and did not retaliate,” the spokesperson said, adding that Islamabad had expected the Taliban to curb the TTP’s activities.

Pakistan said it had extended goodwill to Afghanistan through trade concessions, humanitarian aid, and visa facilitation, but accused the Taliban regime of “hollow promises and inaction.”

“Instead of acting upon the core expectation from Pakistan — not to allow Afghan territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan — the Taliban regime has always tried to shy away from taking concrete and verifiable actions,” the statement read.

Islamabad maintained that its limited cross-border military response in October 2025 was “a manifestation of the will and determination that Pakistan will not leave any stone unturned to safeguard its territory and its people.”

“Anyone harbouring, abetting or financing [the TTP/FaK or BLA/FaH] is not considered a friend and well-wisher of Pakistan,” it warned.

The statement said Pakistan agreed to participate in the Turkiye- and Qatar-mediated dialogue to “give peace and diplomacy every possible chance.” However, the Taliban regime used the talks to prolong the ceasefire “without taking concrete and verifiable actions.”

“Instead of finding solutions to address Pakistan’s core concern, Afghan regime used the opportunity to malign Pakistan through hypothetical accusations and jingoistic rhetoric. It prolonged discussions and engaged in futile arguments to stonewall the efforts at reaching any concrete understanding,” it said.

The statement further added that the Taliban regime were “misrepresenting the issue of Pakistani terrorists hiding in Afghanistan as a humanitarian issue.”

“These terrorists and their families are now being harboured by the Taliban regime as a payback for their allegiance,” it said, adding that Pakistan was willing to receive its nationals “provided they are handed over at border crossings, not hurled across the border fully equipped with sophisticated weapons.”

Islamabad reiterated that it would not hold dialogue with terrorist groups such as the TTP or BLA, but only with the government in Kabul.

The statement also said some elements within the Taliban regime of being “supported by foreign actors to stoke tensions” and of using “anti-Pakistan rhetoric to unite their fractious government.”

“There is absolute clarity among the people of Pakistan that the ordinary people of Pakistan are the biggest victims of terrorist activities by elements hiding in Afghanistan,” the spokesperson said. “The entire Pakistani nation is with its Armed Forces to safeguard the interests and lives of the people of Pakistan.”

Pakistan urged the Taliban to end its “well-documented support” for terrorist groups operating against it and said the regime could “neither deny nor absolve itself” of responsibility for the rise in cross-border terrorism.

While reaffirming its preference for diplomacy, Islamabad warned that its patience was not limitless. “Pakistan remains committed to resolution of bilateral differences through dialogue,” the statement concluded. “However, Pakistan’s core concern — terrorism emanating from Afghanistan — needs to be addressed first and foremost.”

Make or break talks

Last month’s heavy clashes along borders left several casualties on both sides and prompted Pakistan to close key crossings. In recent weeks, Pakistani security forces have intensified operations against terrorists, many of whom, according to Islamabad, continue to operate from Afghan soil. Pakistan maintains that the TTP leadership enjoys safe havens inside Afghanistan and has repeatedly urged Kabul to take “decisive action” against the group.

Earlier this week, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt General Ahmed Sharif, in an informal briefing to journalists, warned that any cross-border attack from Afghanistan would be considered a breach of the ceasefire and “responded to with full force.” “If Afghanistan’s soil is used for terrorism against Pakistan, the truce will be null and void,” he said, adding that Pakistan had exercised restraint despite repeated provocations but would no longer tolerate violations.

Read More: Pakistan warns Taliban truce won’t hold if attacks persist

According to the military’s estimates, at least 206 Afghan Taliban fighters and 110 TTP militants have been killed in recent border skirmishes. Pakistani officials also claim that a significant number of militants involved in attacks inside Pakistan were Afghan nationals.

Diplomatic sources said the Istanbul dialogue will focus on establishing a verifiable mechanism for preventing cross-border infiltration and sharing intelligence on militant movements. Pakistan will push for tangible action against the TTP and the dismantling of their training and logistical camps inside Afghanistan.

The Afghan side, meanwhile, is expected to raise concerns about Pakistan’s airstrikes inside Afghan territory and the repatriation of undocumented Afghan refugees. Kabul maintains that it does not support cross-border attacks and has urged Islamabad to address “internal security lapses” rather than blame Afghanistan.

Officials familiar with the process say the Istanbul meeting could prove to be a “make-or-break” moment. A failure to reach an understanding on counter-terror measures could lead to further border militarisation, closure of crossings, and disruption of trade between the two countries.

A senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune that Islamabad wants “results, not rhetoric.” He added, “Pakistan’s position is simple…Afghan soil must not be used for attacks on Pakistan. If that commitment is not honoured, all options are on the table.”