PTBP Web Desk
Pakistan’s Minister of Defence, Khawaja Asif, will lead a high-level delegation to Doha, Qatar, on Saturday to hold critical discussions with Afghan Taliban authorities. The talks aim to end cross-border terrorism and restore peace along the Pak-Afghan border, according to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan.
The diplomatic engagement comes after both Pakistan and Afghanistan extended a ceasefire in their recent conflict, which has been the worst cross-border fighting between the two countries in decades. The focus of the Doha talks will be on immediate measures to stop terrorist attacks emanating from Afghanistan and to stabilize the region.
Once considered allies, Islamabad and Kabul have been entangled in repeated conflicts along the border. Tensions escalated after Pakistan repeatedly demanded that the Taliban rein in terrorists operating from Afghan territory, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Pakistan has consistently reported that militants are using Afghan soil as safe havens for attacks. The Taliban, however, have denied providing sanctuary to militants targeting Pakistan.
The ongoing conflict has attracted international attention. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have mediated to halt hostilities, while former US President Donald Trump also offered to assist in resolving the dispute.
The Foreign Office emphasized that Pakistan does not seek escalation but insists that the Afghan Taliban honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns. The FO statement highlighted the need for verifiable action against terrorist entities, particularly the TTP and BLA, also referred to as Fitnatul Khawarij and Fitnatul Hindustan, respectively.
Pakistan has expressed appreciation for Qatar’s mediation efforts and hopes that the Doha discussions will lead to lasting peace and stability in the region.
An Afghan government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed the talks, stating:
“As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha.”
Mujahid added that a high-level Taliban delegation, led by Minister of Defence Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob, has departed for Doha to participate in the peace talks.
Just a day before the talks, Defence Minister Asif expressed frustration over the lack of progress from the Taliban in addressing Pakistan’s security concerns over the past five years. He stated on X that Pakistan had exhausted all possible channels, including delegation visits, demarches, appeals, and border meetings, without a positive response from Kabul.
He presented a detailed review of Pakistan’s efforts since the Taliban regained power in 2021, highlighting multiple visits by Pakistan’s foreign minister, defence minister, ISI officials, special advisors, and national security officials to engage with Afghan authorities.
“Despite Pakistan’s strenuous and sincere efforts and sacrifices, there has been no positive response from Kabul in five years,” Asif said.
He stressed that Pakistan has lost around 4,000 lives of civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement officers in over 10,000 incidents of terrorism since 2021.
Defence Minister Asif also alleged that Afghanistan had become a proxy for India, claiming that the ongoing terror war was imposed on Pakistan by India, Afghanistan, and TTP together. He insisted that all Afghan nationals on Pakistani soil must return to their homeland, emphasizing that Pakistan’s land and resources belong to its 250 million citizens.
“Afghanistan would have to live with Pakistan as a good neighbour. Self-reliant nations do not thrive on foreign land and resources,” Asif added.
He highlighted that Pakistan had repeatedly called on the Afghan government to take concrete measures against militants, noting that the country has shown patience and restraint in dealing with cross-border security threats.
