Crucial Doha talks set to begin today, Pakistan to seek written assurances from Taliban, FO says Pakistan exercise
Pakistani soldiers keep vigil next to newly fenced border fencing along with Afghan’s Paktika province border in Angoor Adda in South Waziristan. Photo: AFP)
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime on Friday agreed to extend their temporary ceasefire that came into effect earlier this week following deadly border clashes, as both sides prepare for crucial talks in Doha on Saturday aimed at de-escalating tensions.
Officials confirmed to The Express Tribune that the agenda for the Doha meeting will revolve around a single pointensuring that terrorist groups, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are not allowed to use the Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan.
Unlike the previous rounds, the officials said this time Pakistan would want written assurances and a clear timeline, envisaging “tangible and verifiable” steps against the TTP and its affiliates from the Kabul regime.
“Nothing less, nothing more,” remarked one source, who added Pakistan had given diplomacy a one more chance at the request of friendly countries. Qatar is playing the role of mediator between the two sides.
The ceasefire was first announced on Wednesday after several days of fierce fighting along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border left dozens dead on both sides. The clashes, centered around the Spin BoldakChaman and Torkham sectors, marked the most serious escalation between the two countries in recent years.
At his last official media briefing as Foreign Office spokesperson on Friday, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan was “deeply concerned at the unwarranted aggression by the Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorist groups operating from the Afghan soil”.
He said Pakistan had exercised its right to self-defence by repulsing the assaults and inflicting heavy losses on the Taliban forces and associated terrorist elements, while ensuring civilian lives were not targeted.
“At the Taliban regime’s request and with mutual consent, both sides decided to implement a temporary ceasefire,” the spokesperson said. “During this period, sincere efforts are being made to find a positive resolution through constructive dialogue.”
The spokesperson underlined that Pakistan “values dialogue and diplomacy” but warned that Islamabad would take all possible measures to protect its territorial integrity and the lives of its people.
He also rejected the recent statements made by the Afghan acting foreign minister during his visit to India, terming them baseless and an attempt to divert attention from the presence of terrorist elements in Afghanistan.
“Continued presence of terrorist elements on the Afghan soil and the freedom of activities enjoyed by them are well documented, including in UN Monitoring Team reports,” he added.
According to officials, the Doha talks will also test the Taliban’s willingness to act against TTP sanctuaries. “Pakistan expects concrete and verifiable actions against terrorist elements,” one senior official told The Express Tribune, adding that Islamabad has shared “credible evidence” of cross-border involvement through diplomatic channels.
The Foreign Office also voiced strong reservations over the India-Afghanistan joint statement issued in New Delhi last week, calling the reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India “a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.”
Despite heightened tensions, Pakistan reiterated its desire for a peaceful, stable, and regionally connected Afghanistan, while urging the Taliban to fulfill commitments made under the Doha process not to allow its territory to be used against any country.
The Doha meeting expected to be attended by senior representatives from both sides is seen as a crucial opportunity to consolidate the fragile ceasefire and prevent another round of deadly border hostilities.
Observers, however, are skeptical of any major breakthrough given the past track record of the Afghan Taliban.
