Pakistan warns of ‘open war’ with Afghanistan if Istanbul peace talks fail

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 26 (YPA) – Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has warned of the possibility of an “open war” with Afghanistan if ongoing peace talks in Istanbul fail to reach a long-term agreement.

The Istanbul talks, which began on Saturday, represent the latest effort by the two sides to prevent a return to violence following the worst border fighting since the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 2021.

Asif stated in televised remarks that a failure to reach an agreement would mean “open war,” although he indicated that the Afghan side “wants peace.” He confirmed that both sides were adhering to the recently agreed-upon ceasefire, noting that no incidents had occurred in recent days.

These talks follow fierce clashes that erupted earlier this month after Islamabad demanded that Kabul curb militants who, Pakistan says, are attacking it from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan—an accusation rejected by the Taliban.

YPA