Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with a neighborhood media channel, warned that there can be “solely struggle” if the talks with the Afghan Taliban failed. He additionally confirmed {that a} delegation of Islamabad had departed for Istanbul to carry talks with the Afghan Taliban geared toward resolving present tensions.
Khawaja Asif’s “struggle” comment got here throughout an interview with Geo TV. In the meantime, a second spherical of discussions between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations started in Istanbul on October 25, following days of border hostilities.
Additionally Learn: Afghanistan, Pakistan Set For Third And ‘Closing Spherical’ Of Talks After Earlier Makes an attempt Fail
Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks
A breakthrough was reached after Turkiye and Qatar intervened to revive the dialogue course of for the second time in lower than every week. This got here after Pakistan introduced on October 29 that the talks had “failed” and that its negotiators had been making ready to return house.
The talks produced a three-point understanding:
– Continuation of the ceasefire,
– Institution of a monitoring and verification mechanism to make sure peace
– Penalties for violations.
Operational particulars of the mechanism are anticipated to be finalised when senior representatives from either side meet once more in Istanbul on November 6, ANI reported, citing the Daybreak.
Talking to the media outdoors Parliament, Asif mentioned, “The delegation has gone as we speak and the negotiations will start tomorrow morning. Let’s hope Afghanistan makes use of knowledge and peace is restored within the area.”
When requested about the potential of a optimistic end result, Asif mentioned: “Talks are solely engaged in if there’s a chance of progress; in any other case, it’s a waste of time.”
Individually, the defence minister declined to share particulars on discussions relating to the proposed twenty seventh Constitutional Modification, saying the draft would take its “remaining form” by subsequent week earlier than being tabled in Parliament.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions
The tensions started after an assault was launched on Pakistan from Afghan territory on the evening of October 11, following allegations from the Taliban of airstrikes by Pakistan, an accusation Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied.
The 2 sides first met in Doha, the place they reached a brief ceasefire and agreed to reconvene in Istanbul to finalise mechanisms for long-term peace and stability.
Turkiye and Qatar, each of which share sturdy ties with Pakistan, have been key facilitators within the talks.
(with ANI inputs)