Pakistan, Afghanistan to resume talks in Istanbul after dialogue deadlock

Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to return to the table for peace talks in Istanbul to revive dialogue that collapsed earlier this week, Pakistan’s defense minister and state media said Thursday.

The resumption of talks aimed at easing border tensions is the result of efforts by Qatar and Turkey. The two nations helped bring the delegations back after four inconclusive days of talks in Istanbul ended Tuesday.

According to Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, a decision was made by the government to give peace another chance at the request of Qatar and Turkey. He told the Geo news channel that the Pakistani delegation, which was set to return home Wednesday night after the inconclusive talks between the two countries on Tuesday, was asked to stay in Istanbul.