Pakistan expressed its readiness on Sunday to continue “dialogue” with Afghanistan, provided that the security issues that, according to Islamabad, thwarted the latest round of negotiations between the two countries to reach a permanent truce are resolved.

The two sides met in Istanbul last Thursday in an attempt to solidify a truce agreed upon on October 19 in Qatar, following a week of clashes between the two neighboring countries that were the bloodiest since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in the summer of 2021.

But the Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the talks had ended since Friday, explaining that “instead of responding to Pakistan’s basic demand that Afghan territory not be used to launch attacks on Pakistan, the Taliban regime sought to avoid any concrete and verifiable action.”

The same ministry stated that “all the Taliban regime was seeking was an extension of the temporary ceasefire.”

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced in a statement on Saturday that “during the discussions, the Pakistani side tried to place the entire responsibility for its security on the shoulders of the Afghan government, while showing no willingness to assume any responsibility for the security of Afghanistan or its own security,” holding the Pakistani side responsible for the failure of the negotiations.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that “Pakistan remains committed to resolving bilateral differences through dialogue, but priority must be given to addressing Pakistan’s main concern, which is terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.”

However, Kabul confirmed on Saturday that the truce “will hold,” while maintaining its “right to defend itself if attacked.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that mediation efforts were “currently progressing in the right direction,” and told reporters: “We hope to achieve positive results,” noting a “likely” visit by Turkish ministers to Islamabad this week.

Faced with escalating attacks on its forces, Pakistan is demanding assurances from Afghanistan that it will cease its support for armed organizations, primarily the Pakistani Taliban, whose fighters Kabul denies harboring.

In contrast, the Taliban government insists on the need to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty over all its territory, and accuses Islamabad of supporting armed groups against it.

Mujahid reiterated on Saturday that the Taliban authorities have no connection to the Pakistani Taliban movement, noting that the security incidents that Pakistan has witnessed are an internal problem dating back to before the Taliban returned to power in Kabul.

Both sides warned that the failure of negotiations could lead to a resumption of hostilities that killed more than 70 people in October, including about 50 civilians, according to United Nations data.

Islamabad also accuses the Taliban authorities of acting with the support of their historical enemy, India, against the backdrop of closer relations between Kabul and New Delhi.