On Wednesday, Pakistan’s defense minister issued a stern warning, stating that the country would “annihilate” the Taliban following failed peace negotiations with the group, which governs Afghanistan.
The discussions in Istanbul, Turkey concluded without a “workable solution,” as noted by Information Minister Attaullah Tara, after a recent surge in violence resulted in numerous casualties along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border—the worst unrest since the Taliban took control of Kabul back in 2021.
Delegates were unable to reach a consensus primarily due to disagreements regarding the alleged use of Afghan territory by terrorist organizations to launch attacks against Pakistani security forces.
Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, remarked on the X platform that “Pakistan does not need to use even a fraction of its total arsenal to completely annihilate the Taliban regime and force them back into their hiding caves.”
According to reports, both nations had previously agreed to a ceasefire negotiated in Doha, Qatar, on October 19, yet a subsequent round of talks facilitated by Turkey and Qatar in Istanbul failed to produce any agreement.
Both sides accused each other of causing the negotiation breakdown. Pakistan’s information minister claimed the Afghan team strayed from key issues, accusing the Taliban of evading responsibility and engaging in subterfuge.
Pakistan’s security officials relayed that the Taliban showed hesitance in curbing the activities of the Pakistani Taliban, a separate group that Pakistan alleges operates freely within Afghanistan’s borders.
An Afghan official familiar with the discussions shared that talks faltered amid “tense exchanges,” asserting that Afghanistan lacked the authority to control the Pakistani Taliban.
This group has recently intensified its attacks against Pakistani forces following airstrikes targeting its leaders in Kabul and various locations.
In retaliation, the Taliban struck Pakistani military positions along the extensive border, which remains blocked off. The defense minister remarked that while Afghanistan seemingly seeks peace, failure to reach an agreement in Istanbul could lead to “war.” Despite a ceasefire, clashes over the weekend resulted in the deaths of five Pakistani soldiers and 25 members of the Pakistani Taliban close to the border.
