• Afghanistan and Pakistan's peace talks in Istanbul have ended without resolution after three days.
• Both nations exchanged blame for the failure to agree on a long-term truce.
• The recent clashes underscore rising tensions stemming from alleged safe havens for militants.
• A ceasefire brokered earlier seems to be holding despite ongoing sporadic violence.
• International mediators, including Turkish officials, aim to preserve peace efforts in the region.

Negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul have reached an impasse after three days of discussions failed to secure a breakthrough amidst rising border tensions. Both sides have exchanged blame for this deadlock, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban government in Kabul of harboring militant groups, specifically the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has escalated violence along their border. Reports indicate that the cross-border clashes have resulted in significant casualties, marking the deadliest hostilities since the Taliban regained power in 2021, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The situation intensified following a ceasefire brokered in Qatar and Turkey on October 19. However, the peace talks have stalled, with reports of both parties maintaining that their ceasefire is still intact despite continued sporadic violence. A security source from Pakistan indicated that "further progress in the talks depends on the positive attitude of the Afghan Taliban,” pointing towards an atmosphere of mistrust between the two nations, as echoed in reports by India Times and Al Jazeera.

Encounters between Afghan forces and the TTP continue to fuel the tensions, with claims from Islamabad that the TTP operates with impunity from Afghan territory. Afghan officials have countered that they lack control over this group. The lack of consensus on how to address the TTP issue has been cited as a central sticking point in negotiations, further complicating the talks, as noted by Channel News Asia and India Times.

Despite these setbacks, Turkish mediators continue to facilitate discussions in hopes of reaching a resolution. The tense nature of the talks was encapsulated in statements from both sides, with Kabul asserting that it has "made every effort to hold constructive talks," while Pakistan has claimed that the Afghan delegation is not taking negotiations seriously. These disputes reflect a significant diplomatic rift that complicates the broader context of their relationship, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.