Pakistan Defence Minister Warns Taliban as Istanbul Talks Open

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a stark warning to the Taliban government just hours before Afghan-Pakistan talks began in Istanbul, a development that has intensified tensions and cast a shadow over diplomatic attempts to end recent border skirmishes and drone strikes.

In a televised interview, Asif said, “War will happen,” when questioned about whether military action was the only response, accusing Kabul of sheltering militants and overlooking cross-border attacks. Afghanistan countered by condemning Pakistani drone operations affecting civilians and alleging Islamabad has not addressed ISIS training camps.

The high-level talks, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, aim to shore up a fragile ceasefire agreed in Doha last month. The prior Istanbul session concluded on October 30 with a joint pledge to extend the truce and establish monitoring and verification measures to stabilise the border.

The Afghan delegation, led by Intelligence Chief Abdul Haq Wasiq, includes senior Taliban figures such as Anas Haqqani and acting ambassador to Qatar Suhail Shaheen. Pakistan’s delegation is headed by National Security Adviser and ISI Chief Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim, reflecting Islamabad’s emphasis on security concerns over political reconciliation.

Border clashes and disrupted trade remain pressing problems. Over 8,000 Afghan containers are stranded in Pakistan, with some 4,000 more awaiting clearance, producing significant economic losses for both countries. Analysts warn that escalatory rhetoric could jeopardise the ceasefire and wider regional stability.

Amid mounting tensions, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected claims by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar about frequent contacts with Afghan leaders, calling the assertions “false and inconsistent with diplomatic ethics.” Dar also criticised the ISI’s actions during the Taliban’s return, linking them to extremists turning against Pakistan.

Mediators from Türkiye and Qatar are expected to press both sides to adopt accountability measures and implement a joint verification mechanism to ensure compliance with the truce. Yet with Pakistan’s new threats and Kabul’s rebuttals, the Istanbul discussions have opened under considerable strain, highlighting the precarious state of peace in the region.