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Pakistan-Afghanistan War: Pakistan and Afghanistan held the second round of talks in Istanbul to curb cross-border terrorist activities.
Pakistan-Afghanistan War: Pakistan and Afghanistan held the second round of talks in Istanbul to curb cross-border terrorist activities. During this, Islamabad warned that if talks do not solve the problem of terrorism then war is still an option. Dozens of soldiers, civilians and militants were killed in clashes earlier this month, leading to a war-like situation, but a temporary peace was restored on October 19 after talks between the two sides facilitated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha. As agreed in Doha, the second round of talks between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban took place in Istanbul (Türkiye) on Saturday.
If talks fail then war is also an option
Radio Pakistan quoted official sources as saying that the discussions focused on setting up a joint monitoring and inspection mechanism to prevent cross-border terrorist activities and removing trade barriers. Both sides also discussed the possibilities of reaching a long-term political understanding. Geo News reported that Pakistan handed over a comprehensive anti-terrorism plan to the Afghan Taliban during the second round of talks between the two sides. On the other hand, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, while talking to journalists in his home town Sialkot, warned that if the talks fail, there will be a full-scale war with the Afghan Taliban regime. He said that the result of the talks will be known if not today or tomorrow. The Defense Minister said that there has been no fighting on the border in the last four-five days.
Both countries expressed hope for peace
He said that 80 percent of the points agreed upon between the two countries during the first round of talks in Doha are being implemented. He expressed hope that Pakistan and Afghanistan will agree to an agreement that will ensure long-term peace in the region. Recalling the first round of talks, which he led, the Defense Minister said he felt a desire for peace during the talks. He said that Afghanistan promoted terrorism in Pakistan, whereas Pakistan has been opposing terrorism for more than four decades. Earlier, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed in a statement on Friday that the agreed talks would proceed as planned.
Action should be taken against Balochistan Liberation Army
He said that Pakistan hopes for a concrete monitoring mechanism in the meeting held in Istanbul on October 25 to deal with the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil into Pakistan and to prevent further loss of lives of Pakistanis. Andrabi highlighted that Pakistan has demanded action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). At the same time, Afghan Interim Administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had said that the Afghan delegation will be led by Mawlavi Rahmatullah Najeeb, Deputy Minister in the Interior Ministry. Mujahid said on X that the remaining issues (with Pakistan) will be discussed in the next meeting. The growing mistrust between the two countries resulted in clashes along the 2,611 km long border.
