Efforts to ease border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again reached a deadlock, with the latest round of talks in Istanbul concluding without agreement. Facilitated by Turkey and Qatar, the discussions were intended to reinforce a fragile ceasefire and lay the groundwork for long-term de-escalation, but progress proved elusive.

The failure of the Istanbul talks comes amid increasingly strained relations between the two neighbours. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has faced a surge in attacks attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad has accused Kabul of allowing militant safe havens, a charge Afghan authorities deny, insisting that their territory is not being used to threaten neighbouring states. As violence has

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