Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has delivered a serious warning during the ongoing peace talks with Afghanistan in Istanbul, stating that failing to reach an agreement could result in “open war.”
“See Afghanistan wants peace, but failure to reach a deal means open war,” Asif was quoted as saying by Reuters.
His remarks came as Pakistan and Afghanistan entered the second round of peace discussions in Istanbul on Saturday, aimed at de-escalating tensions following weeks of deadly cross-border clashes.
Pakistan and Afghanistan Hold Crucial Talks in Istanbul
According to reports by Dawn, the talks are focused on restoring stability and preventing further violence after recent border confrontations left dozens dead, including civilians.
The clashes began after explosions in central Kabul, which the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan, prompting retaliatory strikes along the border. Although the two nations initially agreed to a ceasefire, it quickly fell apart, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of violating the truce.
A second ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, was established on Sunday and is reportedly holding for now.
Key Agenda: Border Security and Ceasefire Mechanisms
At Saturday’s meeting in Istanbul, negotiators from both sides are expected to finalize mechanisms for maintaining border stability, as outlined during the earlier Doha talks, AFP reported.
The Afghan delegation is led by Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib, who arrived in Turkey on Friday. Pakistan is represented by a two-member team of senior security officials, according to The Express Tribune.
“The delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by the respected Deputy Minister of Interior, Haji Najib, has departed for Turkey following the Doha agreement from a few days ago. Discussions on the remaining issues will take place at this meeting,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated in a post on X.
Pakistan Emphasizes Terrorism Concerns
Islamabad has emphasized that any agreement must address cross-border terrorism.
The Taliban government seeks to safeguard Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, while Pakistan insists the talks must address “the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi.
The tensions have been rising since the initial Kabul blasts, which coincided with a rare visit by the Taliban’s foreign minister to India. The timing further complicated diplomatic efforts in the region.
Background: Shifting Relations Between Pakistan and Taliban
Before the recent clashes, Pakistan had been a major supporter of the Taliban, providing political and logistical backing during Afghanistan’s transition period. However, recent escalations have strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, raising fears of renewed hostilities.
The outcome of the Istanbul peace talks is expected to shape the future of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and determine whether the two neighbors can prevent the situation from spiraling into further conflict.
