Pakistan–Afghanistan peace talks collapse in Istanbul after US drone row

The breakdown has pushed Islamabad–Kabul relations to a new low and left Qatari and Turkish mediators shocked by the scale of discord and hostility witnessed behind closed doors.

According to multiple diplomatic insiders, the meeting began on a hopeful note, with most issues reportedly settled, until the talks fell apart over Pakistan’s stunning public admission that it maintains a formal agreement with the United States allowing drone operations from its territory.

Pakistani delegates reportedly stated that the pact “cannot be broken,” triggering outrage from the Afghan side, which demanded a guarantee against U.S. drone incursions into Afghan airspace.

When Afghan negotiators sought written assurances of non-interference, Pakistan initially agreed, but after an “unknown phone call” from Islamabad, the team abruptly reversed its position, saying it had no control over American drones or Islamic State activities.

This sudden U-turn effectively ended the dialogue.

Mediators shocked at Pakistani conduct

Witnesses described the atmosphere as “unprecedented in diplomatic circles,” alleging that the Pakistani delegation lost composure and “resorted to insults.” One observer called it “sabotage by design,” NDTV reported.

The head of Pakistan’s team, Major General Shahab Aslam, head of the ISI’s Special Operations Division, reportedly demanded that the Afghan Taliban “summon and control” all anti-Pakistan groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Afghan negotiators countered that the TTP comprises Pakistani nationals, not Afghans, and that Islamabad must handle its own internal militants.

Major General Aslam is the same ISI officer previously accused of coordinating the Pahalgam terror attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed, a fact that further complicated his role as peace envoy.

At one point, tensions escalated when Aslam declared the drone issue “off the table.” The Qatari ambassador intervened, urging him to acknowledge Afghan concerns.

The Afghan delegation later warned that any Pakistani airstrikes on its soil would trigger “reciprocal action.” “If Afghanistan is bombed, Islamabad will be targeted,” a senior Taliban source was quoted as saying.

Afghan officials accused Pakistan of using the meeting to deflect blame and extract unrealistic concessions, while analysts point to Islamabad’s internal fractures, between its military and civilian leadership, as a major reason for its inconsistent negotiation stance.