Post by : Badri Ariffin

Discussions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul have come to a standstill, as confirmed by Islamabad on Friday. This announcement follows mutual accusations of blame for violent border clashes that threaten the fragile ceasefire established by Qatar.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that talks had reached a “stalemate” due to ongoing violence at the border. He acknowledged the mediation efforts of Turkiye and Qatar but criticized the Afghan Taliban for not adhering to their 2021 Doha obligations to mitigate terrorism.

Tarar emphasized that Pakistan “will not endorse any actions by the Taliban government that jeopardize regional peace,” underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to sovereignty while striving for stability for Afghan citizens.

The conflict escalated following claims from Afghan officials that four civilians were killed and five injured in exchanges of gunfire between Pakistani and Afghan troops at their border. Pakistan’s foreign ministry, however, contended that Afghanistan initiated the aggression, asserting that its forces reacted solely in self-defense.

Leading Islamabad's delegation in Istanbul is National Security Adviser Asim Malik, while Afghanistan's team is guided by Abdul Haq Wasiq, the intelligence chief. Mediators are currently examining Pakistan’s demands aimed at curtailing cross-border militant assaults.

Since early October, tensions at the border have spiked, resulting in numerous fatalities on both sides. The United Nations has reported at least 50 civilian deaths and over 400 injuries in Afghanistan, while Pakistan has stated that 23 soldiers have been killed.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of providing sanctuary to fighters from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has taken responsibility for several recent attacks within Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban denies any connections to the group.

Despite a previous agreement to establish a joint monitoring mechanism, the continuation of violence highlights the profound mistrust that has long characterized interactions between these two neighboring nations.

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