Amid renewed efforts to restore calm along the volatile border, Pakistan and Afghanistan opened critical peace talks in Istanbul over the weekend, seeking to cement last week&rsquo;s ceasefire brokered in Doha. The dialogue follows a deadly spate of cross-border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds injured.
Speaking from Sialkot, Pakistan&rsquo;s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif issued a stark warning, saying, &ldquo;We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them.&rdquo; Despite his remarks, Asif added that he believed Afghanistan&rsquo;s delegation was &ldquo;keen on peace.&rdquo;
The Istanbul meeting, described as &ldquo;technical-level talks,&rdquo; aims to establish a framework for a long-term mechanism to prevent violence and improve intelligence sharing. While Afghanistan&rsquo;s Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib is leading Kabul&rsquo;s delegation, Islamabad has yet to disclose its representatives. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban government of harbouring terror groups such as the TTP, an allegation Afghanistan denies, countering that Pakistan has violated its sovereignty through cross-border strikes.
Officials say key trade crossings remain closed amid mounting economic losses. Yet, signs of stability have emerged since the truce. &ldquo;There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack emanating from Afghan soil in the last two to three days,&rdquo; said Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, noting that the Doha deal &ldquo;was fruitful.&rdquo; Both nations now look to Istanbul as a potential turning point for regional peace.
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Pakistan Warns of ‘Open War’ if Afghan Peace Fails

Defence minister’s warning comes as Istanbul talks seek to solidify fragile ceasefire

Pakistan Warns of ‘Open War’ if Afghan Peace Fails

Defence minister’s warning comes as Istanbul talks seek to solidify fragile ceasefire

October 26, 2025 | 11:49 IST