Speaking at a Geo News event on Friday (November 7), Asif also said that the negotiators have failed to resolve the differences between the two sides. However, he said that the ceasefire between the two sides is in place for the time being.

Speaking at the event, the defense minister said, “At this point, we can say that the Pakistan-Afghanistan talks are over.”

Earlier, officials and sources had said that the talks had been suspended without any agreement. A senior security source told reporters that the third round of talks that began in the Turkish capital Istanbul on Thursday had faced a deadlock.

The Dawn report said, “The defense minister also said that the Afghan Taliban delegation came to Istanbul without any agenda and they are not willing to sign a written agreement. They have said that they will only respect the verbal agreement. But there is no opportunity to do so.”

Asif also said that in previous rounds, the negotiators had requested to meet again. Even after the failed talks in Istanbul, they promised to participate in the next round.

Asif said, “Our return empty-handed shows a lack of trust in Afghanistan. If the situation worsens, if we are attacked from their soil, then we will respond depending on the gravity of the situation.”

Asif made it clear that the ceasefire would remain in effect for the time being. But he warned that when the ceasefire is violated by them, we will respond appropriately.

The defense minister reiterated that one of Pakistan’s main demands is to stop attacks on Islamabad from Afghan soil.

Meanwhile, Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid blamed Islamabad for the deadlock in the talks, saying the irresponsible and uncooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation was responsible for the failure.

The dialogue process began after several soldiers and civilians were killed on both sides in a border clash in early October. Following the clash, Turkey and Qatar stepped in to mediate.