Saudi-Mediated Peace Talks Between Islamabad and Kabul End Without Breakthrough, Sources Say

A high-level diplomatic effort hosted by Saudi Arabia to defuse escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government in Afghanistan has concluded without agreement, according to individuals familiar with the proceedings. This marks the latest in a series of unsuccessful mediation attempts between the two neighbors, whose relationship has become increasingly strained over security and border disputes.

The Delegation and Stated Goals
Last week, a senior delegation from Kabul, including influential political figure Anas Haqqani, Deputy Interior Minister for Security Rahmatullah Najib, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, met with Pakistani officials in Riyadh. The talks, facilitated by Saudi Arabia as part of its growing role as a regional mediator, were aimed at re-establishing formal dialogue channels and addressing critical cross-border security issues. The closed-door consultations were seen as a potential reset after months of deteriorating relations and suspended communication.

A Familiar Outcome: No Progress Reported
Despite these intentions, sources with knowledge of the discussions have informed multiple outlets that the negotiations “yielded no results.” The parties reportedly failed to make headway on core demands, leading to another diplomatic stalemate. As of now, neither the Taliban’s administration in Kabul nor the Pakistani government has issued an official statement on the outcome of the Riyadh meeting, maintaining a conspicuous public silence.

This failure echoes the collapse of previous rounds of talks mediated by other regional players. Earlier efforts hosted by Qatar and Turkey, including an emergency session in Doha that temporarily secured a ceasefire, also proved unable to forge a durable settlement.

Deep-Rooted Tensions Underlie Diplomatic Impasse
The persistent deadlock reflects profound and unresolved conflicts between Islamabad and Kabul. Relations have soured significantly in recent months due to:

• Security Accusations: Pakistan has witnessed a rise in attacks it attributes to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it alleges operates from safe havens in Afghanistan. Islamabad’s central demand for “decisive action” against these and other armed groups remains a key point of contention, an accusation the Taliban consistently denies.
• Border Management Disputes: Ongoing disagreements over border control and fencing, exemplified by occasional clashes at critical crossings like Torkham, continue to fuel hostility and mutual suspicion.
• Recognition and Diplomacy: The underlying issue of Pakistan’s formal recognition of the Taliban government, and the associated international dynamics, further complicates substantive engagement.

Analysts See a Path Fraught with Uncertainty
With Saudi Arabia’s initiative now joining the list of unsuccessful mediation attempts, regional analysts express growing pessimism about the immediate prospects for reconciliation. The repeated failure to establish a verifiable security framework or sustain meaningful diplomatic engagement suggests the relationship will remain fragile and highly prone to rapid escalation.

The absence of a functional dialogue mechanism not only threatens bilateral stability but also raises concerns about regional security, potentially undermining counter-terrorism efforts and humanitarian coordination. Observers note that without a fundamental shift in positions or the development of greater trust, future talks risk meeting the same inconclusive fate.

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