Kabul: Afghanistan’s Taliban government said on Saturday that the latest round of peace talks with Pakistan in Turkey had failed, accusing Islamabad of taking an “irresponsible and uncooperative” approach.

“During the discussions, the Pakistani side attempted to shift all responsibility for its security to the Afghan government, while showing no willingness to take responsibility for either Afghanistan's security or its own,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on social media.

He added that “the irresponsible and uncooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation has not yielded any results.” Islamabad has yet to respond officially to the remarks.

Pakistan says Afghanistan failed to act against terrorism

A day earlier, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had indicated that the negotiations were faltering, placing the blame on Kabul. He said Afghanistan had failed to act on its pledge to curb terrorism.

“Pakistan shall continue to exercise all options necessary to safeguard the security of its people and its sovereignty,” he wrote.

The two countries met in Istanbul on Thursday to finalise a truce agreed on October 19 in Qatar. The discussions followed the deadliest border clashes between the neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Taliban thanks mediators, reiterates commitment to sovereignty

In a statement titled Clarification on the outcomes of the Istanbul meeting, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan thanked Turkey and Qatar for hosting and mediating the discussions.

It said Taliban representatives, under the leadership’s direction, participated “in good faith and with appropriate authority” on November 6 and 7, hoping Pakistan would “approach the issue seriously and constructively, with a responsible attitude.”

However, the Taliban reiterated that the Pakistani side had again “attempted to refer all responsibilities regarding its security to the Afghan government” while failing to show “any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan’s security or its own.”

Afghanistan vows not to allow its soil for attacks

The Taliban reaffirmed its “principled position” that Afghan territory would not be used for attacks against another country.

“It will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor will it permit any country to use its territory to take actions that undermine Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, independence, or security,” the statement read.

Describing Pakistanis as “brothers of Afghans,” the Islamic Emirate expressed hope for peace and pledged cooperation “within the limits of its responsibilities and capabilities.”

“The defence of the people and land of Afghanistan is the Islamic and national duty of the Islamic Emirate,” Mujahid added, vowing to “firmly defend against any aggression with the help of Allah and the support of its people, Insha’Allah.”