Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that there has been no major breakthrough in the ongoing peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. Speaking to Geo News, he made it clear that no significant progress has been achieved that could raise high expectations.
According to the minister, discussions with the Afghan Taliban have not yet produced any concrete outcome. He mentioned that while both sides are still engaged in communication, the process has yet to show meaningful results.
Khawaja Asif shared that Qatar’s Defence Minister and Turkey’s intelligence chief are making efforts to prevent the talks from collapsing. Pakistan’s delegation had even reached the airport to return home, but requests from Qatar and Turkey convinced them to stay in Istanbul for another attempt.
The Defence Minister explained that Turkey and Qatar are trying to find a way forward by holding more talks with Afghan representatives. Pakistan’s delegation is still in Istanbul, waiting for further developments. If Afghanistan changes its approach and stops supporting terror groups, Asif said, “it will be a positive sign for peace.
Khawaja Asif highlighted that peace and trust are the main conditions for progress. Without peace, he said, there can be no trade or positive cooperation between the two countries. He warned that if the Afghan side continues to act as a proxy for India or supports TTP militants, then progress will not be possible.
The minister stressed that Pakistan is ready to move forward only if Afghanistan takes practical steps to stop terrorism and avoids interference influenced by other regional powers. “If peace is not achieved, then we have no choice but to respond strongly,” he said, emphasizing Pakistan’s firm stance on national security.
Turkey’s Request Works: Pakistan Agrees to Restart Talks With Afghanistan
