ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to resume in Istanbul, following a breakdown earlier this week. Reports from Pakistan's defense minister and state media in both countries confirmed the negotiations aim to address rising border tensions, which escalated this month after armed exchanges resulted in numerous casualties, including soldiers, civilians, and militants.
The new round of talks is organized with the assistance of Turkey and other nations, intending to de-escalate the situation at the border. Despite the previous talks collapsing, a ceasefire has mostly been maintained, and no new clashes have been reported during the week. However, major border crossings remain closed, causing hundreds of trucks filled with goods and refugees to be stranded on both sides.
Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif stated that the decision to continue discussions was made by Pakistan at the request of Qatar and Turkey, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in seeking a peaceful resolution. He noted that the Pakistani delegation, which had returned home briefly, was requested to remain in Istanbul for further negotiations.
According to reports from Pakistani state-run television, Islamabad's primary demand during the talks is for Afghanistan to take clear, verifiable, and effective action against militant groups that pose a threat to Pakistan. Similarly, Afghanistan's state broadcaster, RTA, indicated that the stalled negotiations were set to resume under the mediation of Turkey and Qatar.
In Islamabad, two senior security officials spoke with the Associated Press, reiterating Pakistan's stance that Afghan territory should not be utilized for what it terms "terrorism" against Pakistan. They expressed appreciation for the constructive role of Turkey and Qatar in facilitating these talks and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to a peaceful resolution.
No official confirmation of the resumption from Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been reported, and there has been no response from government spokespersons in either Islamabad or Kabul regarding this latest development. The announcement follows statements from Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who noted that four days of negotiations concluded without any agreement and included a warning from Asif of a "stern response" if militant attacks continued from Afghan soil.
Tensions escalated earlier this month after reports of explosions in Kabul, with the Taliban government of Afghanistan accusing Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in the capital and targeting a market in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan officials claimed retaliation against Pakistani military posts led to significant casualties, while Pakistan maintained that their military operations were targeted at militant hideouts within Afghanistan.
This series of clashes prompted Qatar to host emergency talks, resulting in a ceasefire established on October 19. Follow-up discussions in Istanbul ended without resolution on Tuesday, which has led Qatar and Turkey to attempt to reconvene both delegations for further negotiation.
Pakistan has experienced a notable increase in militant activities in recent months, primarily attributed to the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is closely aligned with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Many militants from this group are believed to have sought refuge in Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power in 2021.
On Thursday, the Pakistani military reported that it had killed 18 militants in two separate operations in the Balochistan province. Furthermore, four members of the Pakistani Taliban, including a high-value target, were killed as they attempted to infiltrate Bajaur, a city near the Afghan border. The military emphasized the need for Afghanistan to take concrete measures to prevent the use of its territory by militants to conduct terrorist activities against Pakistan.
In summary, the ongoing negotiations in Istanbul signify an important moment in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, as both countries seek to address the root causes of their border tensions while striving for a peaceful resolution amidst recent escalations and security concerns.
