As Pakistan and Afghanistan prepare to resume high-stakes peace talks in Turkey today, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that a collapse in negotiations could push Islamabad into direct conflict with the Taliban.
Speaking to Geo TV on the eve of the third round of dialogue, Asif cautioned that Pakistan would be forced to consider military options if the discussions fail to yield progress. “If the negotiations fail, the situation will deteriorate further. We have our options. Considering how we are being targeted, we may respond in the same manner," he said.
Pakistan’s spy chief, Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, is leading the delegation to Turkey for the renewed discussions aimed at stabilising the truce that followed last month’s deadly cross-border clashes. According to Arab News, Türkiye, with the backing of other friendly nations, has facilitated the latest round of negotiations to help both sides establish a monitoring mechanism to sustain the ceasefire reached on October 19.
The previous meetings in Doha and Istanbul failed to produce a breakthrough after violent exchanges left several soldiers, civilians, and militants dead. Islamabad has repeatedly pressed Kabul to act against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accusing it of orchestrating attacks from Afghan soil.
“Pakistan’s top intelligence official, Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, departs for Türkiye today to resume negotiations with the Afghan Taliban leadership," Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing security sources. Malik, who heads the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is expected to meet Afghanistan’s interim intelligence chief, Abdul Haq Wasiq, in Istanbul.
The recent escalation began when Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting militants it says were behind attacks on its forces. Kabul condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and denied providing safe havens to the group. The 2,600-kilometre border between the two nations has long been a flashpoint, marked by frequent skirmishes and mutual accusations of harboring militants.
While a tenuous calm holds, Islamabad maintains that durable peace depends on Kabul’s actions against cross-border terrorism. “Pakistan’s stance has been clear — support for terrorism must end," Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said last week. Afghan officials, meanwhile, have warned of “reciprocal attacks" if Pakistan violates its sovereignty again, stressing that Afghan soil will not be used to launch assaults against its neighbour.
Source: news18