Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Ceasefire in Istanbul Amidst Haqqanis Warning
Pakistan and Afghanistan have announced a ceasefire following renewed peace talks in Istanbul, just a day after Pakistan had declared the negotiations a failure. The breakthrough, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, aims to prevent further deadly cross-border clashes that have claimed dozens of lives this month.
A principal-level meeting is scheduled for November 6 to finalise the ceasefires implementation modalities.
During the discussions, Islamabad reiterated its demand for Kabul to act against Pakistani Taliban militants, whom it accuses of using Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. While Pakistan claims the Afghan Taliban harbours the group, Kabul denies the charge, stating it cannot control the militants.
Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, however, issued a stern warning to Pakistan against creating fresh tensions, asserting that Afghanistan seeks peaceful ties but will defend its sovereignty if attacked. Haqqani urged Pakistan not to link its internal problems to Afghanistan, accusing it of sovereignty violations.