Pakistan’s defense minister said on Saturday he believed Afghanistan wanted peace but warned it could lead to “open war” if the two sides failed to reach an agreement during talks in Istanbul.
This comes days after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire following deadly clashes along their shared border.
The talks in Istanbul, which began on Saturday and are due to continue on Sunday, are the latest attempt by Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent a return to violence after the worst border fighting since the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, Reuters reported.
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The talks are to devise a mechanism to force a ceasefire from Doha in the long term.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif said there were no incidents during the four to five days of the closure and both sides were observing the ceasefire.
“We have the option, if there is no agreement, we will wage open war with them,” he said in televised remarks from Pakistan, Reuters reported.
“But I could see they wanted peace.
The latest clashes erupted earlier this month after Islamabad called on the Taliban to rein in militants it says are launching attacks on Pakistan from bases in Afghanistan.
In response, Pakistan carried out cross-border airstrikes that led to intense firefights between the two sides that left dozens dead and forced the closure of major border crossings, which remain sealed.
Islamabad continues to accuse Kabul of harboring militants targeting Pakistani forces, while the Taliban denies the allegations and insists that Pakistan’s military actions violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
Amid a renewed wave of attacks targeting its security forces, Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring groups it considers terrorist organizations, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).
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However, Kabul categorically rejected these allegations.
Throughout the standoff, Pakistan urged the Taliban government to “assert control” over militants operating from Afghan territory.
A ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey last weekend brought a temporary halt to the clashes, and the truce is mostly in place. Still, the border remains closed, except for Afghan refugees returning home from Pakistan, AFP reported.
According to the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, traders are suffering heavy losses, reportedly in the millions of dollars a day, as cross-border trade and transit remain suspended.
The southern province of Kandahar has been hardest hit by the recent conflict, particularly the border town of Spin Boldak, where Pakistani airstrikes have destroyed homes and caused civilian casualties.
On Friday, the Taliban’s chief government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the delegation heading to Istanbul was being led by Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib.
Transit trade with Afghanistan will remain suspended
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Friday it plans to suspend transit trade with Afghanistan for the foreseeable future until the security situation on the border is assessed.
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I believe that Afghanistan longs for peace.
“Afghan transit trade is closed and is not taking place. It is not taking place due to factors that you were aware of. There was also considerable discussion about this issue at last week’s briefing. Pending the assessment of the security situation, this transit trade will remain closed,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi said at a weekly press briefing.
(With input from agencies)
