Saudi Arabia facilitates talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia hosted a round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan to ease tensions between two neighbouring countries over cross-border terrorism. However, talks ended without any breakthrough.

According to a media report, Riyadh brought two sides for talks but they stuck to their positions and showed little flexibility to compromise. They added that Saudi Arabia may host another round of discussions soon.

The Riyadh talks took place separately from the Turkiye-Qatar initiative, which has remained stalled. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier indicated that a delegation would visit Pakistan, but the trip has not yet occurred.

The Turkiye-Qatar track had achieved a temporary ceasefire after clashes in early October, but Pakistani officials said that the agreement weakened because it relied on a halt to terrorist activity.

The delegations in Riyadh were largely similar to those at previous Istanbul talks, including Pakistani officials from the Foreign Office.

During the session, Saudi representatives suggested Pakistan consider resuming bilateral trade while negotiations on security continued, but Pakistan declined the proposal, the report said, citing sources.