Afghanistan Lambasts Pakistan Over ‘Illogical’ Demands; Sharif Claims Kabul Involvement In Recent Attacks

After the recent collapse of their peace talks in Turkey’s Istanbul, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has squarely blamed Pakistan, claiming Islamabad made “unrealistic and unreasonable” demands as both nations grapple with days of escalating border clashes.

Speaking in Kabul on Thursday (November 13, 2025), Muttaqi confirmed that the Afghan delegation had returned home after Turkey-hosted negotiations ended without progres, marking the third failed round of discussions following earlier meetings in Qatar. The two countries met in Istanbul on last week November 7.

The breakdown comes amid a surge in hostilities along the Durand Line, where tensions have simmered for years but recently ignited into fresh airstrikes, shelling, and mutual recriminations. Pakistan and Afghanistan have been engaged in the conflict since the start of October 2025.

Pakistan-Afghanistan clash: What has Kabul accused Islamabad of?

Taliban FM Muttaqi accused Pakistan of repeated violations of Afghanistan’s airspace and sovereignty, bombing markets and civilian areas, conducting airstrikes near Kabul itself, trying to shift the blame for Pakistan’s internal security failures. He said Afghanistan had been “forced to respond” after four years of what he described as escalating incursions.

“Afghanistan’s airspace and sovereignty were breached. Afghan civilians, shops and markets were bombed. Ultimately, the situation reached a point where even the airspace of the Afghan capital was violated, leaving the Islamic Emirate with no choice but to respond,” Muttaqi said.

What sticking points led to breakdown in Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks?

According to Kabul, Pakistan’s primary demand was that Afghanistan ensure no security incidents occur inside Pakistan, a condition Muttaqi called “illogical”, adding, “How can we be responsible for Pakistan’s internal security? Do we control their army or police?”

Further, Pakistan also proposed relocating Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan, according to Muttaqi, which he described as an attempt to “deliberately create chaos.”

Meanwhile, Afghan officials said their core demands were straightforward – stop violating Afghan airspace, stop ISIS fighters from crossing into Afghanistan from Pakistan, TOLO News reported that Islamabad refused to take responsibility for either.

“You have a large army, intelligence services, technology and cameras across the Durand Line. If someone crosses all those barriers and fences, how can you blame Afghanistan for it?” Taliban foreign minister Muttaqi said. The Islamic Emirate said its delegation had attended all three rounds of talks “in good faith,” but Pakistan “abandoned” the discussions.

“If someone crosses your fences, drones, radars and cameras, how can you blame Afghanistan?” he asked.

How has Taliban leadership responded?

In a separate statement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan “abandoned the talks” and “refused to accept responsibility for its own security.” He criticised Islamabad for attempting to pass all security burdens onto Afghanistan, targeting Afghan refugees inside Pakistan, blaming Kabul for long-standing domestic problems.

“Pakistan’s issues are 25 years old—bombings, drone strikes, attacks in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar,” he said, dismissing efforts to link them to Kabul.

In a sharp remark, he added, “A nuclear power is using strength against onions and tomatoes,” referring to Pakistan’s crackdown on Afghan refugees.

What was Pakistan’s response to Kabul’s claims?

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged that the talks have reached an “uncertain stage with no results,” adding there is no plan yet for a fourth round. On Wednesday (November 12, 2025), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alleged that Afghan nationals were involved in recent terror attacks in Wana and Islamabad, saying that “footprints of Afghanistan” were found.

The third round of talks, held in Istanbul on November 7, ended without any roadmap or agreement.