Riyadh_ Recent negotiations between a Pakistani delegation and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Riyadh concluded without tangible progress, sources reported. Kabul reportedly maintained a rigid stance on key issues raised by Islamabad, leaving both sides at an impasse.
Insiders familiar with the closed-door discussions said Pakistan sought constructive movement on critical security concerns, but the Afghan side repeated its previous positions, resulting in a deadlock. Another round of negotiations between the two sides is expected to take place in Riyadh in the near future. https://x.com/htnworld/status/1995701126801600644?s=20
Earlier, the first round of high-level talks in Riyadh reportedly failed to produce any agreement due to exchanges of heated words, accusations, and cross-accusations. A local Afghan source confirmed that negotiations temporarily halted after tensions escalated, preventing the talks from progressing in a positive trajectory. The delegations, facilitated by Saudi Arabia, convened amid rising cross-border tensions and political strain between Islamabad and Kabul.
Talks Focused on Reducing Tensions
Sources close to the negotiations indicated that the primary goal was to de-escalate recent tensions and create a practical framework for direct bilateral dialogue. Saudi Arabia’s mediation represents a renewed attempt by regional actors to stabilize relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have seen repeated strains in recent months.