Afghanistan, Nov. 8 -- The third round of peace talks in Istanbul aimed at resolving cross-border violence and establishing a verification mechanism has reached a complete deadlock, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said on Friday.
Asif told Geo News the Afghan delegation refused to sign any written accords, insisting on verbal assurances only, a position Islamabad said was unacceptable for international-level agreements.
He added Pakistan had returned "empty-handed," saying even mediators from Turkey and Qatar appeared to have lost faith in the Afghan side's willingness to commit.
The defence minister warned that Pakistan would deliver a "proportionate and effective" response if attacks originated from Afghanistan soil, ...