Pakistan, Afghanistan to resume peace talks in Istanbul after dialogue deadlock

Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to return to the table for peace talks in Istanbul to revive dialogue that collapsed earlier this week, Pakistan’s defense minister and state media said Thursday.

The resumption of talks aimed at easing border tensions is the result of efforts by Qatar and Turkey. The two nations helped bring the delegations back after four inconclusive days of talks in Istanbul ended Tuesday.

According to Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, a decision was made by the government to give peace another chance at the request of Qatar and Turkey. He told the Geo news channel that the Pakistani delegation, which was set to return home Wednesday night after the inconclusive talks between the two countries on Tuesday, was asked to stay in Istanbul.

According to Pakistani state-run television, Islamabad has said that the talks will be based on Pakistan’s key demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable and effective action against militant groups.

Senior security officials told The Associated Press in Islamabad that Pakistan has once again stressed that Afghan soil should not be used for terror activities against Pakistan and that it appreciates the constructive role of its hosts and remains committed to seeking a peaceful resolution in good faith.

Afghanistan’s state broadcaster, RTA, also reported on Thursday that the stalled talks were set to resume in Istanbul under the mediation of Turkey and Qatar.

A ceasefire has largely held between the two sides and no new border clashes were reported this week despite the collapse of the previous round of peace talks in Istanbul. However, both countries have closed major crossings, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying goods and refugees stranded on each side.

Tensions flared earlier this month after explosions were heard in Kabul, and Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in the capital and bombing a market in the country’s east.

Afghan officials on October 12 claimed that they retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts, claiming 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed. Pakistan’s military disputed the figures, saying 23 soldiers had died and that its operations targeted militant hideouts inside Afghanistan.

A ceasefire agreement was reached between the two neighbours on October 19 after the clashes prompted Qatar to host emergency talks between the two sides. It was followed by four days of negotiations in Istanbul that ended inconclusively on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told a gathering of tribal elders in Peshawar on Thursday that Pakistan seeks peace with all its neighbors, including Afghanistan, but will not tolerate cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil.

– Ends

With inputs from Associated Press

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