Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has put Afghanistan on notice, warning of ‘open war’ if the second phase of peace negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey, does not result in a resolution. The statement highlights the precarious state of relations between the two countries, with ongoing disputes over alleged TTP presence in Afghanistan. Pakistan maintains that the Afghan government provides refuge to TTP militants, a claim consistently rejected by Kabul.
The fraught relationship has seen direct military action, including Pakistani airstrikes on supposed TTP strongholds within Afghanistan and subsequent Afghan counter-strikes. The violence has had devastating consequences, including the deaths of Afghan cricketers, which led to the cancellation of an international sporting event. While a peace agreement was previously signed in Doha, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, aimed at establishing a ceasefire, current events indicate that stability remains elusive. The Istanbul talks are pivotal for preventing a complete breakdown in relations and avoiding wider conflict.