Indian news network CNN News18, citing senior security and diplomatic sources, has reported that Turkey has withdrawn from its mediation role between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Pakistan after repeated diplomatic efforts to bridge the differences failed to yield results.
Kabul 24: Several rounds of negotiations facilitated by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia ended without any significant progress. Kabul has rejected what it describes as Pakistan’s “illegitimate” conditions for a broader peace agreement.
According to the CNN News18 report, Turkish officials have formally informed Islamabad that Afghanistan remains unwilling to accept Pakistan’s core security demands, prompting Ankara to step back from further mediation.
At the heart of this impasse are Pakistan’s key demands, which include the handover of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, the establishment of a 5-kilometer buffer zone along the disputed Durand Line, stricter controls on the transit of Afghan goods, and the accelerated repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.
Afghan authorities have firmly rejected these demands, viewing them as an infringement on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They argue that acceding to such terms would undermine the country’s independence.
Pakistan, on the other hand, holds the TTP responsible for cross-border attacks and internal insecurity, accusing Afghanistan of providing safe havens for the group—an allegation repeatedly denied by Kabul.This development comes amid escalating border tensions in recent months, including armed clashes, airstrikes, and the closure of key crossing points.
Earlier talks in Istanbul and Doha, mediated jointly by Turkey and Qatar, had led to temporary ceasefires, but none resulted in a lasting agreement.Analysts suggest that Turkey’s withdrawal could further complicate the diplomatic landscape and raise the risk of renewed hostilities.
Pakistan has warned of potential unilateral military action if TTP attacks from Afghan soil continue, while the Islamic Emirate emphasizes its commitment to defending its borders.
The episode highlights the deep-rooted challenges in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations since the Taliban’s return to power, stemming from historical disputes over the Durand Line, refugee issues, and cross-border security.
Attention now turns to other potential mediators, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or even Russia, to see if they can fill the void left by Turkey—or whether tensions will escalate further.
