Istanbul (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are set to meet in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss security concerns and work towards a permanent ceasefire along their shared border, following a series of intense and bloody contentions.
As reported by AFP, at today’s talks, negotiators are expected to outline the “mechanisms” for ensuring the return to stability that were declared in Doha.
The start date and location of the talks in Istanbul were unclear. The Afghan delegation, departing for Turkey on Friday, will be led by Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib. Islamabad has not specified who will participate in the talks.
When did Afghanistan and Pakistan first agree to a ceasefire?
A week ago, Afghanistan and Pakistan reached an immediate ceasefire during talks in Doha, according to both sides. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced that the ceasefire “has been finalised.”
He stated that both sides are scheduled to meet again on October 25 in Istanbul to discuss “detailed” matters matters”. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the parties reached an agreement on a comprehensive and meaningful ceasefire.
How did the border clashes between the nations begin?
The ground clashes between the former allies and Pakistani airstrikes along their 2,600-km disputed border were triggered after Islamabad demanded Kabul to control militants who had increased attacks in Pakistan, claiming they operated from safe havens in Afghanistan.
The confrontation started two weeks ago after explosions in central Kabul, which the Taliban government attributed to its Pakistani neighbour, prompting a retaliatory strike at the border.
Islamabad promised a strong response and then conducted “precision strikes” against armed groups on Afghan territory, which are central to the conflict, according to security sources.
What are Pakistan’s main demands in the negotiations?
Islamabad, facing a rise in attacks against its security forces, has repeatedly accused its Afghan neighbour of “harbouring” groups it considers “terrorist, ” mainly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), a claim Kabul denies.
For Islamabad, the negotiations must address
“the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan,”
its foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi said on Friday.
Throughout the confrontation, Islamabad urged the Taliban authorities to “regain control” over the fighters present on Afghanistan soil.
