Tensions Rise as Pakistan Withdraws from Peace Talks with Afghanistan

Following the departure of the Pakistani delegation from peace negotiations with Afghanistan in Istanbul, tensions between the two countries have escalated unprecedentedly. The Ministry of Interior of Afghanistan warned in a strong reaction that it will not tolerate any attacks from Pakistani territory…

Abdul Matin Ghani, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior of Afghanistan, announced that the country will not allow its territory to be subjected to foreign attacks. He stated: Any attack from Pakistan will serve as a lesson for that country and a warning for others. Yes, we do not have nuclear weapons, but neither NATO nor the U.S. have been able to subdue Afghanistan. Our people have never bowed to any power during twenty years of war.

Departure of the Pakistani delegation from peace negotiations in Istanbul

These remarks were made after the Pakistani delegation unexpectedly left the peace negotiations in Istanbul. According to informed sources, the Pakistani side had raised demands that were deemed unacceptable by the Afghan delegation and outside the framework of the agreements.

Islamabad’s demands and Kabul’s response

Reports indicate that Islamabad requested Kabul to expel the fighters of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Afghan soil and take control of their activities. Furthermore, Pakistan sought permission to target the positions of members of this group within Afghanistan using unmanned aerial vehicles.

In response, the Afghan delegation emphasized that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan does not use Afghan territory as a operational base, and addressing this group is a domestic issue related to Pakistan.

Escalation of political and security tensions between the two countries

Analysts say that the departure of the Pakistani delegation from the negotiations and Kabul’s strong positions could lead to a new round of tensions in the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Relations between the two countries have severely deteriorated in recent months due to increased border attacks and mutual accusations of supporting armed groups.