The recent breakdown of the Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks in Istanbul has laid bare the fragility of regional diplomacy in South Asia in general and the deepening mistrust between Kabul and Islamabad in particular. Scheduled as a critical forum to address border security, counter-terrorism, and broader peace initiatives, the talks ended inconclusively, with no announcement of any further engagement.

The Taliban has accused Pakistan of insincerity and an attempt to offload its security responsibilities onto Afghanistan. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has, in his statement, explicitly criticised Pakistan for its “irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude". By citing Islamabad’s attempts to undermine the negotiation process, he has exposed a worrying pattern of duplicity that raises fundamental questions about Pakistan’s role in regional stability.

This episode underscores a persistent problem in Pakistan’s foreign policy: the disproportionate influence of its military establishment over civilian governance. The Taliban’s remarks about certain factions within the Pakistani military sabotaging discussions with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and undermining a sovereign Afghan authority resonate with a broader reality as Pakistan’s army often operates with near-total autonomy, which renders promises of constructive engagement questionable.

The structural problem in Pakistan’s governance ensures that even the most carefully negotiated agreements can be rendered meaningless if they conflict with military interests. Islamabad’s civilian leaders have little authority to steer foreign policy independently, leaving both domestic and international stakeholders to navigate a diplomatic landscape dominated by opaque military calculations.

The implications of this failure are severe for regional peace. Afghanistan, despite the Taliban’s control of the government, is actively trying to assert sovereignty and prevent its territory from being used as a base for attacks on neighbouring countries.........

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