Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warns of ‘open war’ with Afghanistan if peace talks fail in Turkiye
Afghan Taliban fighters patrol near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan on October 15. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan has presented a firm stance on cross-border terrorism during talks in Istanbul, with discussions focusing on threats posed by terrorist groups operating in the region, including Fitna al Khwarij.
The second round of talks between Pakistani and Afghanistan concluded in Türkiye on Saturday, however, discussions are expected to continue for another two days. The dialogue, seen as crucial given recent tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, was facilitated by the Turkish government.
According to sources, Pakistan’s delegation comprised seven members, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security agencies. The Afghan Taliban delegation included six officials.
During the talks, Pakistan presented its ‘clear and firm stance’ on the threat posed by the terrorist group Fitna al Khwarij and other terrorist organisations operating in the region, sources added.
The discussions focused on enhancing security coordination, improving border cooperation, and formulating a joint strategy to promote peace and stability in the region.
Sources familiar with the matter said the aim of the negotiations is to establish a consensus on mechanisms that would help address cross-border security challenges and prevent terrorist activities.
Further deliberations are expected to take place over the next two days as both sides seek common ground on key security issues.
Asif warns of ‘open war’ with Afghanistan if peace talks fail
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif 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.
He said there had been no incidents in the four to five days since it was agreed, and both sides were complying with the truce.
“We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them,” he said in televised remarks from Pakistan. “But I saw that they want peace.”
Doha Talks
The Istanbul dialogues follow Pakistan and Afghanistan’s agreement on an immediate ceasefire during Doha talks, after a week of intense border clashes — the worst since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.
The ceasefire “has been finalised”, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X on last Sunday, saying both sides would meet again on October 25 in Istanbul to discuss “detailed matters”.
Pakistani delegation, led by Khawaja Asif, including other senior officials. On the Afghan side, the talks were headed by Acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, accompanied by other representatives.
Pakistani officials raised the issue of cross-border terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan, pointing in particular to groups such as the Gul Bahadur faction and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad maintains that these groups have been involved in multiple deadly incidents inside Pakistan in recent months.
Sources familiar with the talks said Pakistan presented a ‘single-point agenda’ focused on the dismantling of terrorist networks. “Pakistan has made it clear that the Afghan government must eliminate terrorist organisations and their hideouts,” sources said.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the parties agreed on a complete and meaningful ceasefire.
Tensions escalated after unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban regime
Tensions along the Pak-Afghan border escalated on October 12, when clashes erupted after the Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan Army, which destroyed several Afghan posts and killed dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants.
The coordinated assault originated across several key sectors, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Baramcha in Balochistan. The firing, security sources said, was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij — the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — into Pakistani territory.
“The Pakistan Army responded immediately and decisively,” security sources said. “The counteroffensive effectively targeted and destroyed multiple Afghan posts on the border. Dozens of Afghan soldiers and Khwarij were killed in retaliatory fire”.
