Post by : Badri Ariffin

The second round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul has ended in failure, with both sides trading accusations and warnings after a heated dispute over drone operations.

According to diplomatic sources, tensions erupted when Pakistani officials confirmed — for the first time publicly — that Islamabad has an agreement allowing the United States to conduct drone operations from Pakistani territory. Afghan negotiators reacted sharply, demanding assurances that these drones would not violate Afghanistan’s airspace.

The revelation reportedly caused outrage within the Afghan delegation, which viewed the pact as a direct threat to its sovereignty. The talks, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, quickly unraveled as both sides stood firm. Afghan representatives insisted that the drone issue must be resolved before any peace framework could proceed, while Pakistan refused to back down, calling the agreement a “non-negotiable national security arrangement.”

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking later on national television, accused Kabul of acting under India’s influence and sabotaging the dialogue. “Whenever we came close to an agreement, Kabul intervened and backed out. I believe the negotiations were deliberately derailed,” he said. Asif further warned that any attack or provocation from Afghanistan would be met with a “50 times stronger response.”

The remarks drew strong reactions from Kabul, where Afghan officials dismissed the allegations as “baseless and illogical,” asserting that Afghanistan maintains relations with all countries as an independent nation.

Observers say the breakdown marks a serious setback for efforts to stabilize the volatile border region. Over recent months, both nations have faced escalating tensions over cross-border militancy, with Pakistan accusing Afghan-based groups of launching attacks inside its territory.

The Istanbul talks had been seen as a potential turning point in easing those tensions, but the collapse has instead exposed deep mistrust and competing regional interests. The disagreement over drone operations — and the larger issue of external influence — has once again pushed Pakistan and Afghanistan to opposite sides of the diplomatic table.

As both governments issue strong statements, the possibility of renewed hostilities looms large, leaving regional partners worried about another cycle of confrontation between the two uneasy neighbors.

#world news #Global News #India News #Politics