The latest round of Pakistan–Afghanistan peace talks in Istanbul has collapsed after four days of negotiations, with sources revealing that the real cause of the breakdown was Pakistan’s secret drone agreement with the United States—not Indian interference, as claimed by Islamabad.
According to reports by TOLO News, Afghan negotiators had demanded a written pledge from Pakistan to stop violating Afghan airspace and to prevent any foreign drone flights over Afghan territory. In return, Kabul was prepared to strengthen controls on anti-Pakistan militant groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
However, the dialogue stalled when the Pakistani delegation acknowledged that a “foreign country” was conducting drone operations from its territory—later confirmed to be the United States.
“For the first time, Pakistan admitted during these negotiations that it has an agreement with the United States allowing drone strikes, and claimed it cannot break that agreement,” TOLO News reported.
The Drone Deal Pakistan Couldn’t Deny
The revelation has reignited debate about Pakistan’s cooperation with Washington on counter-terrorism. Under former US President Donald Trump, Islamabad deepened defense coordination with Washington; both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir have made recent visits to the White House.
Trump has reportedly urged the Taliban to return control of Bagram Airbase to the United States, warning that “bad things will happen” otherwise.
A Phone Call That Changed Everything
Sources told Afghan media that Pakistan’s negotiators were initially open to Kabul’s terms but reversed course after receiving a phone call, believed to have come from Pakistan’s top military command.
Afterward, the delegation stated it had “no control” over the US drone operations and therefore could not commit to halting them.
Mediators from Qatar and Turkey were reportedly “surprised” by Islamabad’s sudden shift in position.
Pakistan Blames India for Failed Talks
Following the collapse, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared on Geo News accusing India of sabotaging the process.
“The people in Kabul pulling the strings and staging the puppet show are being controlled by Delhi,” Asif alleged.
Afghan journalists countered this claim, pointing out that Pakistan’s position changed immediately after the phone call confirming its inability to halt US drone flights.
Afghan reporter Tameem Bahiss wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Pakistan “acknowledged signing an agreement with a ‘foreign country’ that permits drones to operate within its airspace for surveillance and potential strikes inside Afghanistan.”
Border Tensions and Civilian Casualties
The diplomatic failure comes amid a fragile ceasefire along the Durand Line, following deadly border clashes in September and October that killed more than 200 people on both sides.
The Taliban government in Kabul has accused Pakistan of conducting air and drone strikes that have killed civilians, including women and children.
Afghanistan’s Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid has warned that “any fresh violation of Afghan airspace” will be met with a reciprocal response.
Regional Implications
Analysts say the revelation of a US-Pakistan drone pact could strain Islamabad’s ties with Kabul and complicate Washington’s broader regional strategy. It also highlights the continuing mistrust between Pakistan and the Taliban, despite shared security concerns.
Diplomatic observers in Istanbul noted that while India has often been used as a scapegoat in Pakistan’s internal and external conflicts, the drone-deal disclosure exposes a deeper layer of strategic dependence that may undercut Islamabad’s credibility in future negotiations.
