Poll: Afghans Consider Taliban-Pakistan Talks “Symbolic and Unproductive”

DID Press: A new survey carried out by DID Press Agency indicates that most respondents view the third round of talks between Afghan Taliban authorities and Pakistan in Istanbul as largely symbolic and unlikely to yield real results.

According to the poll, 50 percent of participants said the meetings were “purely symbolic and without tangible outcomes.” Sixteen percent described them as “highly effective and productive,” while another 16 percent view them as “somewhat useful but not decisive.” The remaining 16 percent said the talks were “likely to be fruitless.”

The findings indicate widespread public skepticism in Afghanistan over the potential success of negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad aimed at easing border tensions and addressing security concerns.

Analysts say mutual distrust, ongoing cross-border clashes, and the instrumental approach both sides take toward each other continue to hinder prospects for any lasting agreement.