Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif issued a stark warning to Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Wednesday, vowing a severe response to any future “terrorist or suicide attack” on Pakistani soil. This comes hours after peace talks in Istanbul concluded without a resolution. The negotiations, mediated by Qatar and other nations, followed a brief ceasefire agreement on October 19 in Doha. However, the discussions failed to bridge the growing tensions between the two neighboring countries. Earlier this month, Pakistan’s military conducted strikes on alleged Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan, claiming to have killed dozens of insurgents. Afghanistan countered by stating that civilians were killed and retaliated with attacks on Pakistani military posts, allegedly resulting in the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan acknowledged losing 23 soldiers in the border clashes. In a post on X, Asif accused the Taliban government of enabling militant activities and warned of dire consequences if attacks persisted. Afghanistan’s state broadcaster RTA reported that the talks collapsed due to what it termed “irrational demands” from Pakistan, including assurances that no attacks would originate from Afghan territory. The Taliban delegation maintained that the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, is an internal issue for Islamabad. Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militants, a claim Kabul denies. The recent surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, primarily claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, has heightened tensions. Despite the failed talks, the ceasefire remains intact, though major border crossings are closed, leaving hundreds of trucks and refugees stranded. At the Chaman border crossing in Balochistan, Afghan refugees and traders expressed frustration and fear over the uncertain future. “We are returning to Afghanistan, but it’s a scary situation,” said Ajab Khan, an Afghan refugee. “We don’t know how we will survive there.”
Pakistan’s Defense Minister warns Afghanistan of stern response to any new militant attacks
