Overview
- Pakistan’s information minister said the Istanbul round produced no workable solution and warned Islamabad will take measures to protect its people, echoing earlier threats of possible "open war" if diplomacy fails.
- Negotiators deadlocked over Pakistan’s demand for assurances that the Afghan Taliban curb the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan, while Afghan representatives insisted they lack authority over the Pakistan-focused group.
- Afghan and regional media reported Pakistan acknowledged an agreement permitting a foreign country’s drone operations into Afghanistan, prompting Kabul to seek guarantees against airspace violations.
- Qatar and Türkiye continued efforts to preserve the October 19 Doha ceasefire, which both sides said still holds despite sporadic border clashes and the ongoing closure of key crossings that has stranded trade.
- Multiple reports said the Pakistani delegation walked out of the Istanbul talks, as each side blamed the other for backtracking and mediators worked to prevent a relapse into wider fighting.