- Defense Minister Khawaja Asif to lead Pakistani delegation: FO.
- He says the Doha talks will focus on ending cross-border terrorism.
- He adds that Pakistan appreciates Qatar’s mediation role in the talks.
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that a high-level delegation led by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif will hold talks with representatives of the Afghan Taliban today (Saturday) in Doha.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the talks will mainly focus on “immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan” and on restoring “peace and stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.”
The governments in Islamabad and Kabul on Friday extended the 48-hour truce for the duration of the Doha talks as they seek to resolve clashes that have killed dozens and injured hundreds over the past week in the worst violence between the two South Asian nations since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.
“Pakistan does not seek escalation, urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable measures against terrorist entities, including FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA,” the Ministry of External Affairs posted in X.
The ministry also appreciated Qatar’s mediation efforts and hopes that these discussions will contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Earlier, Taliban government spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid had also confirmed that a high-level delegation from Afghanistan left for Doha on Saturday for peace talks with Pakistan.
“As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha,” Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, adding that the Kabul team was led by Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob.
The two neighboring nations are witnessing rising tensions amid the reluctance of the Afghan Taliban regime to act against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, against the backdrop of increasing terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
Taliban forces and Indian-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), alias Fitna al-Khawarij, resorted to an unprovoked attack on Pakistan on October 12.
The Pakistan Armed Forces gave an adequate response to the aggression, killing more than 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants in a self-defense action. The army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom in clashes with Taliban forces and terrorists.
Additionally, security forces also carried out “precision strikes” in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and the capital Kabul, successfully destroying multiple strongholds in response to recent aggression.
Following the ceasefire, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is ready to hold talks with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan on reasonable conditions.
The country has witnessed a rise in cross-border terrorist incidents since the Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the border provinces of KP and Balochistan.
The two countries share a porous border that extends around 2,500 kilometers with several crossing points, which are important as a key element of regional trade and relations between peoples on both sides of the fence.
However, the issue of terrorism remains a key issue for Pakistan, which has urged Afghanistan to prevent its territory from being used by groups such as the banned TTP to carry out attacks within its territory.
– With additional contributions from Reuters
