Overview
- Pakistan’s defence minister said the negotiations are over with no plan for a fourth round and that the ceasefire will hold unless violated.
- Islamabad rejected verbal assurances and demanded written, verifiable steps to ensure Afghan territory is not used by the TTP or allied groups.
- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid called Pakistan’s terms unreasonable, and Afghan officials warned they would defend national sovereignty if war breaks out.
- Turkey and Qatar mediated the talks, and Reuters reports Turkey’s foreign, defence and intelligence chiefs plan to visit Pakistan this week to try to revive diplomacy.
- The Oct. 19 truce technically remains in place, but key crossings face tight restrictions, trade is curtailed and large-scale repatriations of Afghans continue.