The recent peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, held in Istanbul, have collapsed, with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accusing Kabul of acting as a proxy for India. Asif claimed that Afghan negotiators repeatedly retracted agreements under pressure from their leadership, undermining efforts to establish a cooperative framework to combat cross-border terrorism, particularly concerning the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Despite initial progress over four days, the negotiations failed to yield a consensus, as Afghan representatives allegedly evaded accountability for militant activities originating from their territory. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar emphasized that Pakistan had sought cooperation from the Afghan Taliban to address these security concerns but faced continued indifference and deflection from Kabul. The breakdown of dialogue raises significant concerns about regional stability, as it reflects ongoing tensions and the challenges in establishing a durable peace framework between the two nations. This development underscores Pakistan’s precarious security situation, exacerbated by perceived external influences and the failure of diplomatic engagement, highlighting the need for a more robust approach to regional cooperation against terrorism.