The third day of the ongoing talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban concluded without any major breakthrough, as Kabul continued to resist Pakistan's key counterterrorism demands. The talks, mediated by Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, have been marked by a persistent deadlock primarily due to Afghanistan’s reluctance to fully embrace Pakistan’s core proposals aimed at curbing terrorist activities targeting Pakistan from Afghan soil.

Pakistan has insisted strongly on ending the Taliban regime’s tacit support or shelter for groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which have been responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan and often operate from Afghanistan's territories. Islamabad’s stance is firm: any tolerance or sanctuary for these militants is unacceptable if regional peace and stability are to be achieved.

Despite Pakistan’s insistence and repeated presentations of logical and legitimate demands, sources indicate that the Afghan delegation in Istanbul remains under close instructions from Kabul, limiting their flexibility. Interestingly, even some Taliban negotiators acknowledge that Pakistan’s demands make sense, but Kabul’s differing agenda seems to be the main barrier to progress. This paralysis has been frustrating mediators who see Pakistan’s demands as essential for lasting peace.

Recent clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have added urgency to these talks. Earlier this month, intense border skirmishes led to significant casualties on both sides, including Pakistani soldiers, fueling Islamabad’s resolve to press for concrete counterterrorism measures. Following these clashes, Pakistan executed precision strikes on terrorist strongholds in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Kabul regions and temporarily closed border crossings to prioritize the safety of its citizens over trade.

Pakistan also accuses the Taliban regime of acting as a proxy for Indian interests, which complicates the negotiations further. During the prior rounds of talks, Pakistan emphasized the need for the Taliban to dismantle terrorist networks operating from their territory, but their counterarguments have been seen as unrealistic and disconnected from regional security realities. Mediators hope that Turkey's involvement might help narrow the gap by ensuring the Taliban delegation fully understands the gravity of Pakistan's concerns. Still, the progress hinges on the Taliban’s seriousness and willingness to abandon their current inflexibility.