KARACHI, Oct 25 (Reuters) – Pakistan’s defence minister said on Saturday he believes Afghanistan wants peace but that failure to reach an agreement during talks in Istanbul would mean “open war,” days after both sides agreed to a ceasefire following deadly border clashes.
“We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them,” he said in televised remarks from Pakistan.
The clashes erupted earlier this month after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban curb militants it says are attacking Pakistan from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan launched airstrikes across the border and both sides exchanged heavy fire, killing dozens and prompting the closure of key crossings that remain shut.
Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by Aidan Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Ariba Shahid is a journalist based in Karachi, Pakistan.
KARACHI, October 25 (Reuters) – Days after both sides agreed to a ceasefire after deadly border clashes, Pakistan’s defense minister stated on Saturday that he believes Afghanistan wants peace but that if an agreement is not reached during talks in Istanbul, it will lead to “open war.”.
Beginning on Saturday and expected to last through Sunday, the talks in Istanbul are the latest effort by Pakistan and Afghanistan to avert a return to violence following the most intense border clashes since the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021.
The goal of the negotiations is to create a longer-term enforcement mechanism for the Doha ceasefire.
Both sides were adhering to the truce, according to Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who said there had been no incidents in the four to five days since it was decided.
In remarks broadcast on television from Pakistan, he stated, “We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them.”. “However, I noticed that they desire peace. “.
After Islamabad demanded that the Taliban stop sending militants who it claims are attacking Pakistan from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, the clashes broke out earlier this month.
Numerous people were killed when Pakistan launched airstrikes across the border, and both sides engaged in intense firefights, forcing the closure of several important crossings that are still closed.
Kabul is accused by Islamabad of providing sanctuary to militants who attack Pakistani troops. The Taliban denies the accusation and claims that Afghan sovereignty is violated by Pakistan’s military actions.
Ariba Shahid reported from Karachi, and Aidan Lewis edited.
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Pakistani journalist Ariba Shahid works out of Karachi. She mainly reports on Pakistani financial and economic news, as well as stories about Karachi. Prior to this, Ariba worked for Profit Magazine and DealStreetAsia.
