Pakistan threatens 'open war' with Afghanistan if Istanbul peace talks fail

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad will enter into an open war with Kabul if the ongoing peace talks in Istanbul fail TOLO News reported The meetings aim to solve the dispute and rising tensions along the AfghanPak border after weeks of deadly clashes and ceasefire violationsIn a conversation with reporters Khawaja Asif added that although no incidents or clashes have occurred in recent days indicating that the Doha Agreement has been somewhat effective TOLO News saidHowever officials from the Afghanistan government have not responded to these remarks by Pakistans Defence Minister it said Delegations from both countries are in Turkey for the second round of discussions The talks focus on implementing the Doha agreement stopping crossborder attacks and rebuilding trustAccording to TOLO News the dialogue is covering four main points creating a joint monitoring system to prevent future violence ensuring respect for each others sovereignty addressing the roots of Pakistans security issues from the past two decades and removing trade restrictions The talks also include a discussion on stopping the forced deportation of Afghan refugees and keeping the refugee issue out of politicsAsif who led Pakistans earlier Doha negotiations said the situation at the border had been calm recently but warned it could change quickly if diplomacy fails The meeting follows the first round of talks jointly mediated by Qatar and Turkiye which took place in Doha on October 18 and October 19 During this period both parties agreed to an immediate ceasefire following days of intense border clashesLast week Qatar announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire following intense border clashesIn a statement issued by Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs the followup talks in Tukriye are to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable mannerA round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Doha mediated by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye During the negotiations the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries the statement saidAsif reminded that Pakistan had supported Afghanistan for decades by hosting millions of migrants and sheltering them Though earlier this week Pakistani security forces shut down several longstanding Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan displacing thousands of residents and demolishing their homes and shopsCamps in Loralai Gardi Jungle Saranan Zhob QalaeSaifullah Pishin and Muslim Bagh have been affected Refugees told they were forced out suddenly without being allowed to gather their belongingsThe clashes erupted earlier this month after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban government curb militants attacking Pakistan from inside Afghanistan Pakistan launched airstrikes across the border and both countries exchanged heavy fire killing dozensHowever Taliban officials denied claims that Afghan soil was being used to attack Pakistan They said the Islamic Emirate does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and remains committed to regional peaceThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever