Saudi-Hosted Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks End Without Progress

Saudi Arabia hosted a round of closed-door talks in Riyadh between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the weekend, but the discussions ended without progress as both sides adhered firmly to their positions on cross-border security issues.

The meeting, which concluded late on Sunday, involved delegations from both nations seeking to address escalating tensions stemming from recent border clashes and disputes over militant activities. Sources familiar with the talks described the session as brief, lasting only a short exchange rather than extended negotiations. Neither government has issued public statements on the outcome, maintaining silence in line with the low-profile nature of the engagement.

The Afghan delegation was led by Anas Haqqani, a prominent Taliban figure, along with Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib and Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi. Pakistan's team consisted of officials who had participated in prior discussions, including a diplomat from the Foreign Office. The talks focused on establishing structured communication channels and resolving persistent concerns, such as security threats along the shared border and the management of key crossings...