The BRICS TimesPakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of “all-out war” with the Taliban should the peace negotiations fail as the second round of talks began.
Talks Hit Security Deadlock
Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reportedly stalled. The recent negotiations occurred in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of having a separate stance on security issues. This includes a lack of cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts.
Second Round of Discussions
The second round of discussions took place in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday. This followed the October 16 ceasefire. That ceasefire had ended the deadliest conflict since the Taliban seized Afghanistan in 2021.
Pakistan Accuses Taliban
Pakistan put forward clear, evidence-based demands to the Taliban. These demands focused on stopping cross-border terrorism, Geo News reported. The report states the Islamic group’s “illogical arguments” raised doubts. This questioned their willingness to cooperate. Radio Pakistan reported the second round aimed to create a joint monitoring mechanism. This body would curb militant activity and ease trade barriers. Discussions also covered the chance of a long-term political agreement.
Islamabad’s Final Warning
The Geo News report cited sources stating the Taliban are “unwilling to cooperate.” They are also reluctant to “acknowledge ground realities.” Turkey is reportedly trying to help the Taliban delegation understand Pakistan’s grave concerns. Islamabad issued a warning. It stated that sheltering terrorists targeting its territory would be “unacceptable.”
Defence Minister’s Threat
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a stark warning as the second round started. He threatened “all-out war” if the peace talks completely failed. Speaking to reporters, he noted no border clashes occurred in the last few days. Also, 80 per cent of points agreed upon in the first Doha talks are already implemented.
