Pakistani Defense Minister Warns of Full-Scale War with Afghanistan if No Agreement Reached

Darwin, 26 October- 

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has issued a stark warning that a “full-scale war” with Afghanistan could occur if talks fail, even as officials from both countries are meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, to secure a ceasefire.

According to Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, the main purpose of these technical-level discussions is to operationalize a recent agreement brokered in Doha by Qatar and Turkey.

The talks, which began on Saturday and continue through Sunday, involve officials from both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Speaking from the eastern Pakistani city of Sialkot, Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated, “If no agreement is reached, we have the option of engaging in full-scale war with them.” He also expressed optimism, saying, “I have seen that they want peace.”

Afghanistan’s Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib is leading his country’s delegation. Al Jazeera reports that these discussions are expected to pave the way for a lasting solution between the two neighbors.

Main Agenda: Terrorism and Trade

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the talks will focus on the “threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil into Pakistan.” Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and other “terrorist groups.”

Kabul, however, denies these allegations and accuses Islamabad of violating its sovereignty through military actions.

Ibrahim Bahis, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted that a key aspect of the Istanbul talks will involve sharing intelligence regarding the positions of armed groups.

Meanwhile, businesspeople are losing millions of dollars daily due to the closure of key border crossings caused by ongoing clashes.

The ceasefire declared in Doha last Sunday remains in effect.

Tahir Andarabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed, “In the past two to three days, there have been no major full-scale terrorist attacks from Afghan territory.”

He expressed hope that the positive outcomes of the Doha discussions would be maintained in Istanbul as well.