Pakistan said on Wednesday negotiations for a lasting truce with Afghanistan had “failed to bring about a workable solution”, warning it would take steps to protect its people.

“Regrettably, the Afghan side gave no assurances, kept deviating from the core issue and resorted to blame game, deflection and ruses,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on X after four days of talks in Istanbul, brokered by Qatar and Turkey. “The dialogue thus failed to bring about any workable solution.”

“We will continue to take all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism,” Tarar added, vowing to “decimate the terrorists, their sanctuaries, their abetters and supporters”. There was no immediate comment from Afghanistan. (AFP)