New Delhi, Nov 2 (NationPress) The peace negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul aimed at easing tensions along the Durand Line unexpectedly exposed a significant diplomatic failure.

What started as a critical effort to avert further border conflicts and rebuild trust rapidly descended into chaos, mixed signals, and evident frustration among the mediators, as reported by Khamma Press.

The discussions were prompted by ongoing armed conflicts and escalating concerns about cross-border terrorism.

The delegation from Islamabad insisted on decisive actions from Kabul against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Afghanistan demanded written guarantees that Pakistan would cease alleged violations of airspace.

Experts note that both nations came with inflexible positions and unrealistic expectations, leaving little opportunity for compromise.

Social media became a battleground within hours of the session's commencement, with unverified claims and biased narratives exacerbating distrust.

Afghan analysts accused Pakistan of rigidity, while Islamabad accused Kabul of shirking responsibility for terror networks. The lack of verifiable information only heightened tensions, the report stated.

The situation worsened when Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan could “obliterate” the Taliban government if provoked, a statement that triggered outrage in Afghan media and was perceived as undermining Pakistan's reputation as a stable regional player.

At one critical moment, Pakistan's delegation reportedly agreed to contemplate Afghanistan's security guarantee, but reversed this decision after discussions with Islamabad. This sudden change, as outlined in the Khamma report, embarrassed the Qatari facilitators and intensified doubts about Pakistan's policy coherence and civil-military coordination.

Ultimately, mediation efforts from Turkey and Qatar led to a joint statement and an extension of a fragile ceasefire, yet deep-seated mistrust persisted. Observers suggest that this incident underscores Islamabad's difficulty in aligning diplomatic and security strategies at a time when economic strains and insurgency threats are already stretching state capabilities.

Regional analysts caution that ongoing blunders could alienate crucial partners, complicating Pakistan's economic diplomacy and further destabilizing its western frontier. For lasting peace, experts contend that Pakistan must move away from coercive rhetoric, establish trust-based mechanisms, and invest in border communities, while Afghanistan must take decisive action against anti-Pakistan militants.