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The source noted that the Pakistani delegation appeared disorganised, offering no coherent arguments and seeming more focused on pulling back from the negotiations. At one point, they even requested that the Afghan side acknowledge Pakistan's right to strike Afghan territory in response to TTP attacks, TOLO News reported.

This report comes just months after Pakistan inked a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia in September, committing to mutual defence against any external threats and deepening both military and economic ties.

At the same time, Islamabad has boosted its defence and strategic alignment with the United States under President Donald Trump. This was highlighted by several high-level meetings, including PM Shehbaz Sharif rushing to meet Trump at the Oval Office visit, with army chief Asim Munir in a glittering attendance.

Moreover, Trump has publicly demanded the return of Bagram airbase from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. He even threatened that if it did not get the airbase, "bad things would happen". Sharif, meanwhile, has repeatedly lauded "Trump's leadership", praising his "role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire as a historic achievement". He even nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan talks in Istanbul ended inconclusively, with both sides blaming each other for failing to reach a long-term truce. News agency Reuters, citing two anonymous sources familiar with the discussions, reported that the negotiations yielded no resolution.

The brief Pakistan-Afghanistan war erupted in early September. Escalating TTP attacks on Pakistani forces sparked deadly clashes between both neighbours. This made Islamabad launch precision airstrikes deep into Afghan territory, targeting suspected militant hideouts in Kabul and Kandahar.

Drone strikes and JF-17 jet bombings left over 200 dead on both sides. The Taliban reported dozens of civilian casualties, including women and children in an eastern marketplace.

In retaliation, Afghan forces shelled Pakistani border posts along the Durand Line.

At least 23 soldiers were killed and hundreds wounded. Heavy artillery exchanges and ground clashes broke out in hotspots like Spin Boldak and Kurram.

Days before both countries reached a ceasefire, Afghanistan's Taliban government said that Pakistan had carried out two drone strikes on Kabul the previous day.