Pakistan Warns Open War If Afghan Talks Fail Amid Border Clashes

Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaged in a critical second round of peace talks in Istanbul, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, aiming to stabilize relations following deadly border clashes. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that failure of these negotiations could lead to open war, despite his acknowledgment that Afghanistan appears to seek peace and that a ceasefire has largely held. Central to the talks is Pakistan's demand for verifiable commitments from the Taliban to prevent militants, such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), from using Afghan soil to launch attacks into Pakistan. The conflict has been exacerbated by Pakistan's accusations that the Taliban harbor militants and India's alleged proxy involvement from Afghan territory, while the Taliban deny these claims and condemn Pakistan's military actions as violations of sovereignty. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in significant casualties, including Pakistani soldiers, and have disrupted vital trade routes, further straining bilateral ties. Both sides recognize the high stakes of the dialogue, with Pakistan pushing for a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance and Afghanistan moving forward with infrastructural projects like dam construction despite tensions.