Taliban-Pakistan talks in Riyadh end inconclusively: Report
A new round of direct talks between Pakistan and the Taliban, hosted by Saudi Arabia, ended without progress late Sunday
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — A new round of direct talks between Pakistan and the Taliban, hosted by Saudi Arabia, ended without progress late Sunday, with both sides refusing to budge from long-held positions, Pakistan’s Dawn Newsreported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
Sources confirmed to Amu TV that a Taliban delegation travelled to Riyadh for the confidential meeting, which concluded with no sign of compromise. Despite the deadlock, another round of talks in the kingdom remains possible, according to Dawn.
The Saudi-led initiative forms a separate diplomatic track from earlier efforts by Türkiye and Qatar, where progress has likewise been slow. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had previously announced plans to send a delegation to Pakistan, but the visit has yet to take place.
A joint Türkiye–Qatar effort helped establish a fragile ceasefire after cross-border clashes in early October. However, Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi recently described the truce as “unstable,” saying it depends on an end to militant activity.
Sources told Amu TV that the Taliban delegation in Riyadh was the same team involved in earlier talks in Istanbul. Pakistan, Dawn reported, also retained the same negotiators.
Saudi officials reportedly suggested that Pakistan consider resuming bilateral trade while discussions on militancy continue, but Islamabad rejected the proposal.
At the request of Saudi officials, both sides agreed to keep details of the discussions confidential. The Taliban have issued no public statement.
Tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban government have intensified since negotiations in Istanbul collapsed, prompting renewed mediation attempts by Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan accuses the Taliban of allowing the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan territory — a claim Kabul denies. Three rounds of talks have now ended without agreement.
Cross-border trade has also suffered. Most key Afghanistan–Pakistan border crossings have remained closed for more than 50 days, with only the Torkham crossing partially open — and only for Pakistan’s one-way expulsion of migrants.
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