Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warns of open war if Istanbul peace talks with Afghanistan collapse

International News: The ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have once again reached a critical point. Following nearly a week of border clashes and gunfire, a temporary ceasefire was implemented on October 19th, brokered by Qatar.

Why did Khawaja Asif warn Afghanistan?

However, the situation is still not completely calm. Against this backdrop, the second round of peace talks between the two countries has begun in Istanbul, but even before the talks begin, Pakistan has adopted a tough stance. In a statement, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a clear warning to Afghanistan.

He said, "We hope Afghanistan wants peace, but if the ongoing talks in Istanbul fail, we must be prepared for open war." Following Asif's statement, the escalating tensions between the two countries have once again raised international concern.

Analysts say that the dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan is rooted in several issues, the most significant of which is the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. Pakistan alleges that TTP militants are using Afghan soil to launch attacks against it, while the Afghan Taliban administration is not taking any concrete action against these militants.

Rise in number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan

In fact, the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan has increased sharply since the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021. The Pakistani government says that TTP groups operating from Afghanistan are neither being stopped nor are their bases being targeted.

Will Durand Line ever settle?

The border dispute has long been a major source of tension between the two countries. The approximately 2,611-kilometer-long Durand Line, which demarcates the two countries' borders, has not yet been formally recognized by Afghanistan. This is why clashes, firing, and cross-border infiltration frequently occur in the border areas.

Turkey and Qatar are acting as mediators in this matter, seeking a solution through dialogue between the two countries. However, recent statements by Pakistan indicate that if the Istanbul talks fail to make progress, the situation could escalate into violence again.