New Delhi, Oct 25 () – Afghan and Pakistani delegates sat across from each other in Istanbul to follow up on the Doha peace deal that ended the latest wave of cross‑border gunfire along the Durand Line.
The talks were organized by Qatar and Turkey, and they aim to turn a temporary ceasefire into a lasting peace. The Doha agreement, announced early on Oct 19 after a 13‑hour negotiation, called for an end to violent clashes that had killed and displaced civilians in the border region.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made it clear that the ceasefire will survive only if the Taliban stops cross‑border attacks. He said the deal hinges on the Taliban’s commitment to curb terrorism. The Taliban pointed to a Pakistani aerial strike in Kabul as a trigger for their counter‑actions.
A key point of the Doha deal is that it promises to bring Afghan refugees back to Pakistan, address alleged Taliban sheltering of Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters, and maintain a ceasefire. In the last year, 126,800 Afghan refugees have returned to Pakistan, but Islamabad has also pushed several tens of thousands back. Pakistan hosts about 1.6 million Afghan refugees, while Iran shelters almost 250,000.
The dispute over the Durand Line remains unaddressed in the agreement. Afghanistan’s Taliban Minister for Defence, Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid, said the talks focused on implementation, not on the border question. The line is contested, with Kabul claiming that areas on the other side are part of Afghanistan or a separate Pashtun nation.
The success of the Doha deal could stabilize trade and transit routes, including Afghanistan’s access to Pakistani ports. A collapse could heighten military and diplomatic tension across South Asia. Pakistan seeks a clear monitoring system in Istanbul to protect its security interests, following claims that Kabul supports terrorist networks.
The mediation effort by Qatar and Turkey will now test whether these two neighbours can navigate their complex ties and secure a lasting peace. With 10.3 million Afghans displaced worldwide, the outcome of this negotiation has far‑reaching implications for regional stability, commerce, and the lives of millions seeking safety and stability.
Source: ianslive
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