Pakistan Warns of 'Open War' with Afghanistan if Talks Fail

Pakistan's Defense Minister has warned of a potential 'open war' with Afghanistan if peace talks fail. The talks began in Istanbul aimed at preventing an escalation of violence.

The statement follows a recent ceasefire agreement after deadly border clashes. The talks in Istanbul aim to create a mechanism to enforce a longer-lasting truce, which was agreed upon in Doha.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that there have been no incidents since the ceasefire was agreed. The clashes began when Islamabad demanded that the Taliban crack down on Islamists who, it claims, are attacking Pakistan from Afghanistan.

Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring militants, while the Taliban deny the accusations, claiming that Pakistani military operations violate Afghanistan's sovereignty. The border clashes in recent weeks are the most intense since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021. Pakistan has launched airstrikes across the border.