Pakistan Says Talks Inconclusive as Afghanistan Refuses Assurances

Pakistan said talks with Afghan officials ended without an agreement after the Taliban refused to provide firm assurances to curb cross-border militant attacks, a setback that could jeopardize the ceasefire reached between the two countries last month.

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told television channel Geo News television news channel the negotiations in Istanbul had concluded without progress and that Pakistani officials were returning home. “Even the mediators have stepped back. Had they seen any chance, they would have asked us to stay there,” he said.