Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday slammed the Afghan Taliban regime for failing to stop cross-border terrorism, saying Kabul offered &ldquo;hollow promises and inaction&rdquo; despite repeated assurances during talks mediated by Turkiye and Qatar in Istanbul earlier this week.&nbsp;In a statement, the Foreign Office said the third round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, held on November 6&ndash;7, ended without progress because the Taliban side &ldquo;tried to dilute the focus on the core issue of terrorism.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;For the past four years, since the Taliban regime came to power in Afghanistan, there has been a sharp surge in terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan soil on Pakistan,&rdquo; the spokesperson said. &ldquo;Despite suffering military and civilian casualties, Pakistan exercised maximum restraint and did not retaliate.&rdquo;&nbsp;Pakistan said it had repeatedly engaged Kabul with &ldquo;trade concessions, humanitarian assistance and international advocacy,&rdquo; but said these gestures were not reciprocated.&nbsp;&ldquo;The response from the Taliban regime has only been hollow promises and inaction,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Islamabad said the Taliban continues to harbor militants affiliated with TTP/FaK and BLA/FaH who fled Pakistan after Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2015.&nbsp;Pakistan refers to TTP, an umbrella network of various armed groups, as &ldquo;khawarij,&rdquo; a term rooted in early Islamic history used to describe an extremist sect that rebelled against legitimate authority and declared other Muslims apostates. The BLA refers to the Balochistan Liberation Army, while FaH, Fitna al-Hindustan, is a term used by Islamabad to denote Indian-sponsored militants.&nbsp;According to the statement, these fighters have now &ldquo;established training camps in Afghanistan to launch terrorist activities in Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;More than being a matter of capability, it has become a matter of intent of Taliban regime,&rdquo; the spokesperson said. &ldquo;Empty hopes and hollow promises rendered by Taliban regime so far have already outlived their efficacy.&rdquo;&nbsp;Pakistan said the Istanbul session was expected to finalize a monitoring mechanism agreed in an earlier round in Doha, but claimed Taliban representatives &ldquo;avoided taking any measures on ground and tried to back out of the commitments they had undertaken.&rdquo;&nbsp;It said Kabul&rsquo;s delegation &ldquo;prolonged discussions and engaged in futile arguments&rdquo; to avoid addressing Pakistan&rsquo;s core demand of verifiable action against militants. &ldquo;The Taliban regime was only interested in prolonging the temporary ceasefire,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Islamabad also rejected the Taliban&rsquo;s claim that terrorism in Pakistan is an internal issue. &ldquo;There are individuals in Afghanistan who have issued fatwas legitimizing terrorist attacks against Pakistan,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that several groups now operating inside Pakistan include &ldquo;a large number of Afghan nationals.&rdquo;&nbsp;Pakistan further criticized attempts by the Taliban to frame wanted militants and their families as refugees. &ldquo;This is not a humanitarian or a refugees issue, but a ploy to frame terrorists as refugees,&rdquo; the spokesperson said.&nbsp;Islamabad reiterated it is prepared to receive Pakistani nationals from Afghanistan &ldquo;provided they are handed over at Torkham or Chaman, and not sent across with weapons.&rdquo;&nbsp;The statement stressed Pakistan prefers diplomacy but delivered a clear warning. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s Armed Forces and its people are well determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from its soil and take action against its supporters, abettors and financiers.&rdquo;&nbsp;While reaffirming its willingness to continue dialogue, Pakistan said its &ldquo;core concern, i.e. terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, needs to be addressed first and foremost.&rdquo;

Foreign Affairs

Islamabad calls for Kabul to take concrete, verifiable action against TTP and BLA militants, warning ‘hollow promises’ have ended after Istanbul talks failed to progress.

Pakistan slams Afghan Taliban over failure to curb cross-border attacks

Saqib Tanveer

ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban have committed to taking &ldquo;clear, verifiable, and effective action&rdquo; against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Pakistani sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;The announcement follows a five-day negotiation in Istanbul, where both sides agreed to extend the ceasefire.&nbsp;Official sources described the development as a key step toward regional peace and stability and an important milestone for international security.&nbsp;While the ceasefire will continue, Pakistani officials stressed that it is conditional on Afghanistan not being used as a launchpad for attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp;&ldquo;This outcome has been achieved through reasoned diplomacy, patience, and steadfast commitment to national interest, despite hurdles and accusations from adversaries,&rdquo; sources said.&nbsp;Afghanistan and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire during talks mediated by T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar, according to a joint statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The talks aimed to consolidate the truce originally agreed upon in Doha on Oct. 18-19, with a principal-level meeting scheduled for Nov. 6 to finalize further implementation details. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1983980512046985585&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=6652bdd701f220ebc8bad8fec5974eead6ae7a79&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 801px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The Qatar foreign ministry also confirmed the development in a post later on X. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 849px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1983996754577256826&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=7c20b0e41c6bb8cfcc9ba92af1cf60b6569cb840&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The statement also confirmed that a joint monitoring and verification mechanism will be established to ensure compliance and impose penalties on violators. T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar, as mediators, praised the active participation of both sides and reaffirmed their readiness to continue supporting efforts for lasting peace and stability.&nbsp;Reaffirming the agreement, Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the talks concluded with an understanding that both sides will continue future meetings to review the remaining issues.&nbsp;Mujahid emphasized that Kabul seeks positive relations with Pakistan based on mutual respect, non-interference, and avoidance of actions that could threaten either side.&nbsp;Speaking to SAMAA TV, Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the outcome as a victory for Pakistan and thanked Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye for their mediation. He added that the responsibility now rests with the Afghan Taliban to take concrete action against terrorism.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s stance has been clear: support for terrorism must end. A mechanism for monitoring, verification, and enforcement in case of violations will also be implemented,&rdquo; he said.

In a statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to continue their ceasefire, establish a joint monitoring mechanism, and finalize implementation details in a principal-level meeting on Nov. 6.

Afghanistan to take ‘clear, verifiable action’ against terrorists: sources

Mariam Ellahi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will carry out military strikes inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts if ongoing talks in Istanbul fail to produce written guarantees preventing cross‑border attacks, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Pakistan TV Digital in a wide‑ranging interview on Thursday.&nbsp;&ldquo;If we do not receive any arrangement or any agreement or any assurance from the other side that there&rsquo;ll be no incursions into our territory sponsored by Kabul, then obviously the only option we are left with is that we&rsquo;ll cross into their territory and bomb the hideouts of [the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan],&rdquo; the minister said.&nbsp;Asif said four days of negotiations in Istanbul ended without a conclusion because the Afghan delegation offered only &ldquo;verbal guarantees but refused to commit in writing.&rdquo; He described the Afghan stance as &ldquo;stubbornness&rdquo; and said Pakistan could not accept assurances that were not formalized.&nbsp;&ldquo;We did not reach anywhere on this particular demand,&rdquo; he said, adding that the earlier preliminary accord reached in Doha, which took 11 hours to draft, left implementation mechanisms to be decided in later talks. T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar acted as mediators in the process, and Pakistan has sought their backing and monitoring for any new arrangement.&nbsp;After the Istanbul talks nearly collapsed this week, Turkish mediators persuaded the Pakistani delegation to give the process another chance.&nbsp;&ldquo;My optimism will be very, very guarded,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t pin unnecessary hopes on what is going on in Istanbul.&rdquo;&nbsp;Kabul sheltering TTPReiterating Islamabad&rsquo;s long-standing concern, Asif says the TTP is &ldquo;based mainly in Afghanistan&rdquo; and receives support from elements within the Kabul regime. &ldquo;They deny it publicly, but admit it privately,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Pakistan, he added, has repeatedly reported attacks on soldiers and checkposts that it says originate from Afghan soil.&nbsp;&lsquo;We will not be threatened&rsquo;&nbsp;Responding to reports in Taliban‑linked and Afghan media of possible attacks on Islamabad, the defense minister said he would &ldquo;not speculate&rdquo; but made clear Pakistan would not be intimidated. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t budge or get pressurized by their threats. We are ready to face anything,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&ldquo;They&rsquo;ll pay a very heavy price for anything they are doing now or they intend to do in the future.&rdquo;&nbsp;Trade and smuggling concernsAsif highlighted the long‑term humanitarian burden Pakistan has borne, saying the country has hosted &ldquo;close to four million Afghan refugees&rdquo; for the past four to five decades. He said Afghanistan has shown &ldquo;absolutely no regard or respect for what Pakistan has done for Afghanistan over the decades.&rdquo;&nbsp;The minister also raised concerns about the misuse of transit‑trade facilities.&nbsp;&ldquo;This sort of facility is being misused for decades by Afghans and perhaps in collusion with some Pakistani businessmen,&rdquo; he said, adding trucks and containers bound for Kabul are often offloaded on Pakistani soil and diverted into local markets.&nbsp;On the economic impact of a breakdown in ties, Asif said Pakistan could &ldquo;survive&rdquo; without transit trade, but warned the loss would be more painful for land‑locked Afghanistan.&nbsp;He reiterated his support for enhanced regional connectivity, linking Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, saying such ties could &ldquo;change the economic map of this particular region&rdquo; if Afghanistan embraces intra‑regional trade.&nbsp;Tri-service drills in IndiaTurning to wider regional tensions, Asif said Pakistan was monitoring Indian tri‑service exercises in the Sir Creek area near the Arabian Sea. While he called military drills &ldquo;routine,&rdquo; he warned that the current peace with India remains &ldquo;very tense&rdquo; and fragile.&nbsp;&ldquo;If there is some incursion or some provocation from the Indian side, it will be responded in kind and responded well,&rdquo; he said.

Security

In a wide-ranging interview with Pakistan TV Digital, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif discusses Istanbul talks, trade with Afghanistan, and tri-service drills in India.

Pakistan warns of strikes unless Kabul provides written anti-TTP assurances

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani delegation in Istanbul has presented its final position to the Afghan Taliban, emphasizing that continued patronage of terrorists is unacceptable, security sources said on Sunday. &ldquo;The ongoing support and shelter for terrorists by the Taliban is not acceptable,&rdquo; a senior Pakistani security official said. &ldquo;Concrete and verifiable steps will have to be taken by the Taliban regime to eliminate cross-border terrorism from and inside Afghanistan.&rdquo; Security sources said the demands presented by Pakistan were clear, evidence-based, and formulated to address the core issue directly. They added that Pakistan conveyed there would be no compromise on its central security concerns. According to the sources, the Pakistani side provided intelligence showing the presence and operations of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) inside Afghanistan, including safe havens and leadership protection. &ldquo;The Taliban were urged to take decisive action against these groups and end the provision of safe havens,&rdquo; a security source stated. However, the sources said the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s arguments were &ldquo;illogical and contrary to observable ground realities,&rdquo; raising questions about their approach. &ldquo;It seems that the Taliban are following someone else&rsquo;s agenda,&rdquo; a security official said. &ldquo;This agenda is not in the interest of Afghanistan, Pakistan, or the broader region.&rdquo; Security sources also indicated that the Taliban delegation&rsquo;s &ldquo;stubbornness, lack of seriousness, and non-cooperation&rdquo; had become clear to all parties involved, including the host country. The host government is continuing to make efforts to ensure the Afghan side understands the evidence and engages responsibly. &ldquo;Further progress depends on the Taliban adopting a positive and constructive attitude,&rdquo; the sources noted. The current talks in Istanbul follow a meeting held in Doha last week, where both sides agreed to a ceasefire after several days of cross-border clashes. According to intelligence sources, the Istanbul discussions lasted about nine hours and sought to move toward a verifiable mechanism to prevent militant movement, reaffirm mutual respect for territorial sovereignty, and address related matters involving trade, refugee repatriation, and the separation of bilateral issues from internal political pressures. The talks are taking place amid a recent surge in militant incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including attacks in Central Kurram and Dera Ismail Khan, in which at least 28 Pakistani security personnel, including senior officers, were martyred. In response, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan would send a delegation to Kabul, citing what he described as &ldquo;unbearable&rdquo; security conditions. The Istanbul round forms part of a wider effort led by Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye to preserve the ceasefire and reduce tensions along the Pakistan&ndash;Afghanistan frontier. The process follows a temporary 48-hour truce declared on October 15 and extended during the Doha talks. Security sources stressed that the responsibility for meaningful progress now lies with the Afghan Taliban. &ldquo;What happens next will determine the stability of the region,&rdquo; a senior Pakistani official said.

Security sources say Taliban’s arguments in Istanbul talks are illogical, contrary to ground realities, and suggest Kabul may be pursuing an agenda not aligned with regional stability. Further progress depends on Taliban’s positive engagement, officials add.

Istanbul talks: Pakistan demands concrete Taliban action to stop cross-border terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces foiled coordinated infiltration attempts by two groups of militants attempting to cross from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing 25 militants, including four suicide bombers, the military said on Sunday.&nbsp;In a statement, the military&#39;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the movements of the infiltrating groups were detected on October 24-25 in the Ghaki area of Kurram District and in Spinwam, North Waziristan District, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;The statement said 15 &quot;khawarij&quot;, including four suicide bombers belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij, were killed in Spinwam, while another ten were killed in Ghaki.&nbsp;Islamabad uses the term &ldquo;khawarij&rdquo; for members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), invoking a historical label for an extremist sect in early Islam that rejected legitimate authority and declared other Muslims to be apostates. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the militants.&nbsp;ISPR confirmed that five Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred during the exchange of fire. The fallen were identified as Havildar Manzoor Hussain, 35, from Ghizar; Sepoy Nauman Ilyas Kiyani, 23, from Poonch; Sepoy Muhammad Adil, 24, from Kasur; Sepoy Shah Jehan, 25, from Vehari; and Sepoy Ali Asghar, 25, from Pakpattan.&nbsp;The statement said the soldiers &ldquo;fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending the nation.&rdquo;&nbsp;The military noted that the infiltration attempts came as Pakistani and Afghan delegations are engaged in talks in T&uuml;rkiye, saying the timing &ldquo;casts doubt on the intentions of the interim Afghan government regarding the issue of terrorism emanating from its soil.&rdquo;&nbsp;Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan authorities to ensure effective border management and fulfill commitments under the Doha Agreement, including preventing the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp;ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces &ldquo;remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation&rsquo;s frontiers,&rdquo; adding that the sacrifices of the martyred soldiers &ldquo;further strengthen our resolve.&rdquo;&nbsp;A sanitization operation is currently underway in the area, and the military said the counterterrorism campaign under the&nbsp;Azm-e-Istehkam framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue with full determination to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

A statement released by Pakistan’s military media wing notes the infiltration comes amid ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Türkiye, raising concerns about Kabul’s current commitment to curb cross-border militancy and prevent TTP operations.

Pakistan kills 25 militants in Afghan-border infiltration attempt: military

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office on Friday responded to the Afghan government&rsquo;s announcement of plans to construct a dam on the Kunar River, stating that &ldquo;transboundary rivers are governed by international law.&rdquo; The Kunar River originates in Afghanistan and flows into the Kabul River. According to policy research studies in Islamabad, the Kabul River is significant for Pakistan, supplying irrigation water, drinking water, and hydroelectric power. Earlier, Afghanistan&rsquo;s Energy and Water Minister Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor was quoted in a post shared on the X account of the Afghan Information Deputy Minister Muhajer Farahi. In the post, Mansoor said, &ldquo;Afghans have the right to manage their own water,&rdquo; and added that the Afghan government had decided to begin the &ldquo;construction of dams on the Kunar River as soon as possible and to sign contracts with domestic companies and not wait for foreign companies.&rdquo; Responding to questions at a press briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan was reviewing the situation. &ldquo;We are ascertaining the details,&rdquo; he stated, adding that, &ldquo;generally, transboundary rivers are governed by international law.&rdquo; He further noted that Pakistan is &ldquo;both an upper and lower riparian,&rdquo; and said the matter would continue to be monitored.

Remarks follow Afghanistan’s announcement to build dams on the Kunar River. Islamabad says transboundary waters are governed by international law, noting Pakistan is both an upper and lower riparian and will closely follow the matter.


Kunar River should be governed by international law, Islamabad tells Kabul

Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR:&nbsp;The recently announced ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan brought relief and optimism across the western frontier, yet the key Torkham border remains closed for a ninth day, disrupting trade and livelihoods, traders and economists told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;According to estimates from the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the prolonged closure has resulted in economic losses of nearly Rs9 billion [$32 million]. The border remains sealed to all trade and pedestrian traffic despite the ceasefire agreement reached over the weekend.&nbsp;SCCI President Junaid Altaf, speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, welcomed the truce but noted that normalcy had yet to return.&nbsp;&ldquo;A ceasefire is finally in place,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;However, the Torkham border is still closed for all kinds of traffic.&rdquo;&nbsp;Local traders have been hit hard, particularly those dealing in perishable commodities. Naimat Ullah Khan, head of a major fruit trading association in Peshawar, said hundreds of trucks loaded with fresh produce are stranded on both sides.&nbsp;&ldquo;Fruit is a major export and import item between the two countries,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Hundreds of trucks full of fruit are rotting on both sides of the border,&rdquo; urging the authorities to keep economic activities separate from political and security issues to safeguard livelihoods.&nbsp;Preparations on the ground, however, suggest that reopening may be near.&nbsp;&ldquo;NLC officials have reinstalled import and export scanners, and cleaning work has started,&rdquo; Altaf said. &ldquo;This suggests trade could resume soon, though no official order has been issued yet.&rdquo;&nbsp;The National Logistics Cell (NLC) oversees cargo terminals at Torkham, while the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) manages customs, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) handles immigration, and the Frontier Corps (FC) maintains border security. Coordination among these agencies will be key once operations resume.&nbsp;For communities along the rugged frontier, the crossing is a lifeline. Most residents rely on cross-border trade due to the region&rsquo;s arid landscape and limited agricultural potential. Viral videos on social media have shown long lines of trucks waiting for clearance, highlighting the deep economic interdependence between the two nations.&nbsp;Development economist Sher Shah Khan Bangash said economic cooperation was essential to sustainable peace.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan and Afghanistan are economically interdependent, one provides access to global ports, the other a vital corridor to Central Asia,&rdquo; he told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;Sustainable prosperity in the region depends on connectivity, not closures.&rdquo;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the border situation coincides with Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing repatriation policy concerning undocumented foreign nationals, including Afghans. Officials emphasize that the process is being conducted lawfully and with due humanitarian consideration.&nbsp;&lsquo;Foundation for maintaining peace&rsquo;&nbsp;The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan has drawn broad international praise, particularly for the mediating role of Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/fe8a79f1-57e2-461c-aa2c-f19ab840778b-mediation.jpg" alt="Pakistan-Afghanistan-Ceasefire" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic" style="line-height: 2;">Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands after signing a ceasefire agreement in Doha, Qatar on October 19, 2025. (Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout)</figcaption></figure>In Riyadh, the Saudi foreign ministry welcomed the signing of the agreement, describing it as a step toward &ldquo;lasting peace and stability between the two countries.&rdquo; The statement reaffirmed the Kingdom&rsquo;s support for &ldquo;all efforts promoting regional security&rdquo; and expressed hope that the development &ldquo;will end tensions on the border.&rdquo;&nbsp;Oman also welcomed the Doha agreement, commending the &ldquo;constructive diplomatic efforts of Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye&rdquo; and expressing hope for &ldquo;sustainable peace and prosperity&rdquo; between Pakistan and Afghanistan.&nbsp;From Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russia &ldquo;welcomes the agreement reached between Kabul and Islamabad&rdquo; and noted that the commitment to dialogue &ldquo;serves as the foundation for maintaining peace and regional stability.&rdquo; She encouraged both sides to &ldquo;expand cooperation, including in counterterrorism.&rdquo;&nbsp;Meanwhile, officials in Islamabad have reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to peace, security, and prosperity across the region. As NLC teams continue maintenance work and traders await official word, the Torkham crossing stands at a moment of cautious optimism. A symbol of both regional interdependence and the hope for lasting stability along Pakistan&rsquo;s western frontier.

The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains closed despite a ceasefire, halting trade and travel. The shutdown, now in its ninth day, has caused heavy economic losses and disrupted livelihoods on both sides.

Pakistan, Afghanistan ceasefire brings hope as Torkham border awaits reopening

ISLAMABAD: Following a temporary ceasefire, Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded high-level talks in Doha aimed at easing border tensions and strengthening counterterrorism cooperation, according to official sources.&nbsp;An official statement outlining the outcomes of the discussions is expected soon.&nbsp;The dialogue follows a series of violent incidents earlier this month that reignited hostilities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Islamabad has voiced &ldquo;serious reservations&rdquo; over cross-border firing and militant activity allegedly originating from Afghan territory. Pakistani officials maintain that their recent retaliatory actions targeted militant hideouts and were conducted strictly in self-defense.&nbsp;Pakistan has repeatedly warned that elements of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continue to operate from within Afghanistan, posing a direct threat to national security.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan has exercised maximum restraint despite repeated provocations,&rdquo; a senior security official told Pakistan TV Digital, adding that Islamabad expects Kabul to &ldquo;fulfill its responsibility of preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorism.&rdquo;&nbsp;&lsquo;Responsibility and respect&rsquo;Commenting on the Doha engagement, Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan&rsquo;s former special envoy to Afghanistan, described the ongoing tension as &ldquo;mutually damaging&rdquo; and urged both sides to act responsibly.&nbsp;&ldquo;This tension is bad, it&rsquo;s bad for both countries. We should be living like good neighbors, and we must ensure that each other&rsquo;s sovereignty is respected,&rdquo; Durrani told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;He stressed that the Afghan Taliban government must ensure its territory is not used by militant groups.&nbsp;&ldquo;It is incumbent upon the Afghan Taliban to ensure that Afghan soil is not misused by the TTP or any other terrorist groups,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Reflecting on Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing support for Afghanistan, Durrani noted:&nbsp;&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been supporting Afghanistan through thick and thin for the past 46 years. We hoped that with the Taliban&rsquo;s arrival things would improve, but they haven&rsquo;t. The number and lethality of attacks from the Afghan side have increased, and that&rsquo;s a source of concern for Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;Durrani expressed cautious optimism about the Doha talks, emphasizing that Kabul must take concrete steps to rein in militancy.&nbsp;&ldquo;If the Taliban cannot control or disarm TTP groups, they should hand them over to Pakistan so we can deal with them according to our laws,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We should expect good sense to prevail when both sides come out of the meeting room.&rdquo;&nbsp;&lsquo;Core issue remains unresolved&rsquo;Regional security analyst Zia-ur-Rehman told Pakistan TV Digital that while the Doha dialogue marks progress, the fundamental challenge persists.&nbsp;&ldquo;The core issue remains unresolved: until Kabul acknowledges the TTP&rsquo;s presence on Afghan soil and acts decisively against it, Islamabad&rsquo;s security concerns will persist,&rdquo; Rehman said.&nbsp;He added that Pakistan&rsquo;s decades-long policy toward Afghanistan has been &ldquo;a double-edged sword.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;From backing the mujahideen in the 1980s to supporting the Taliban&rsquo;s rise in 1996, Pakistan&rsquo;s strategy has shaped regional security,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But critics argue this approach has backfired, fueling militancy, straining border relations, and isolating Pakistan diplomatically.&rdquo;&nbsp;Test of political willDiplomatic observers describe the Doha engagement as a renewed attempt to replace confrontation with dialogue, with both sides expected to outline a mechanism ensuring non-use of territory against each other and enhancing joint counterterrorism efforts.&nbsp;While the final communiqu&eacute; is awaited, officials on both sides acknowledge that the Doha process marks a critical opportunity to stabilize bilateral relations between two neighbors whose security and prosperity remain closely intertwined.

Following a temporary ceasefire, Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded high-level talks in Doha aimed at easing border tensions, with a joint statement on counterterrorism cooperation and measures to curb TTP activity from Afghan territory expected soon.

Doha talks with Afghanistan ‘concluded,’ statement expected soon: sources

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has criticized the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, accusing it of acting as a proxy for India and allowing cross-border terror attacks in Pakistan. &ldquo;This war of terrorism has been imposed on Pakistan by India, Afghanistan and the TTP working together. The rulers in Kabul, who used to be under our protection and who once hid on our soil, are now sitting in India&rsquo;s lap and conspiring against Pakistan,&rdquo; Asif wrote on X, formerly Twitter. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1979192853122420827&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=a3f53bc647d1e4e740203278c506b98829f51cc6&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 441px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The minister outlined Pakistan&rsquo;s extensive efforts over the past four years to engage Kabul diplomatically and militarily, which, according to him, have been met with betrayal.&nbsp;These included four visits to Kabul by Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister, two joint visits by the defense minister and ISI leadership, and five trips each by the Special Envoy on Afghanistan and senior Foreign Office secretaries. Pakistan&rsquo;s National Security Adviser also visited Kabul once, and eight meetings of the Joint Coordination Committee were held.&nbsp;&ldquo;Along the border, 225 flag meetings took place, while Pakistan issued 836 formal protest notes and delivered 13 demarches to the Afghan authorities,&rdquo; he added. Despite these persistent efforts, Asif said, the situation has only worsened.&nbsp;From 2021 to date, Pakistan has suffered 10,347 acts of terrorism, resulting in the martyrdom of 3,844 individuals, including civilians, soldiers, and law enforcement personnel, he noted.&nbsp;Asif said Pakistan&rsquo;s sacrifices were met not with cooperation but with hostility from the very regime that once found refuge on Pakistani soil.&nbsp;He declared that Pakistan can no longer afford to maintain relations with Kabul as it has in the past. Asif emphasized that the country&rsquo;s patience has run out, and there will be no more appeals for peace or high-level visits to Afghanistan. Instead, Pakistan will respond decisively to any acts of terrorism or cross-border infiltration.&nbsp;&ldquo;Wherever the source of terrorism lies, it will now come at a heavy cost,&rdquo; he warned.&nbsp;Khawaja Asif also stated that all Afghans residing in Pakistan will need to return to their homeland. He pointed out that it has now been five years since what the Taliban calls its &ldquo;Islamic revolution,&rdquo; and that Afghanistan must now take responsibility for its citizens.&nbsp;&ldquo;The land and resources of Pakistan belong to its 250 million people,&rdquo; he said, adding that the time for forced hospitality has come to an end.&nbsp;The minister stressed that Pakistan desires peace with its neighbors, but it will not tolerate hostility or foreign-backed terrorism.&nbsp;&ldquo;Self-respecting nations do not live off the land and resources of others,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If Afghanistan wants to be a neighbor, it must act like one.&rdquo;

Outlines Pakistan’s extensive efforts over the past four years to engage Kabul diplomatically and militarily, efforts that, according to him, have been met with betrayal.

Taliban now acting as India’s proxy, says Khawaja Asif​

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;A suicide attack by khawarij (terrorists) aimed at security forces of Pakistan was foiled in Mir Ali, North Waziristan District, security sources said on Friday. According to the sources, a terrorist rammed an explosive‑laden vehicle into the wall of a security forces camp, which detonated. After that, three more terrorists tried to enter the camp, they said.&nbsp;As a result of timely and brave action, all three terrorists were killed outside the camp, while the security forces suffered no loss or damage. In just the past two days, 88 terrorists supported by the Afghan Taliban have been killed. &ldquo;God willing, under the National Action Plan (NAP), the Pakistan Armed Forces and the law‑enforcement agencies will remain steadfast in defending the country until the last terrorist is eliminated,&rdquo; the sources said. Vehicle laden with explosives seized&nbsp;Moreover, security forces seized a vehicle belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij that was laden with hundreds of kilograms of explosives, security sources said on Friday. According to reports, the terrrists had planned to drive the vehicle into a civilian settlement in Bajaur and detonate it, the sources said. Security forces destroyed the vehicle. There were no casualties or injuries among security forces or civilians, they said. The explosives were being brought from Afghanistan into Pakistan along with smuggled goods, the sources said. Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold talks Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to hold talks to defuse ongoing border tensions, security sources confirmed to Pakistan TV Digital on Thursday, following a week of deadly clashes and a temporary 48-hour ceasefire. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing his cabinet earlier in the day in Islamabad, said the &ldquo;ball is in the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s court&rdquo; to ensure a lasting truce and address Pakistan&rsquo;s security concerns. &ldquo;If in 48 hours they want to resolve the issues and address our genuine demands, then we are ready for them,&rdquo; Sharif said, stressing that Afghan territory must not be used for attacks inside Pakistan. His remarks came as the Pakistan Army announced that more than 80 militants were killed in a series of counterterrorism operations along the frontier, even as the ceasefire remained in effect. Major infiltration attempt foiled According to the military&rsquo;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces foiled a major infiltration attempt in the Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing at least 45 militants linked to Fitna al-Khwarij, a term used by Islamabad for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The ISPR said the attackers had crossed from Afghanistan intending to strike targets inside Pakistan. &ldquo;Between 45 and 50 militants were killed, while several others were injured,&rdquo; the statement added. In earlier operations between October 13 and 15, the army targeted militant hideouts in North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and Bannu districts, killing 34 terrorists, including 18 in North Waziristan&rsquo;s Spinwam area, eight in South Waziristan, and another eight in Bannu, after intense exchanges of fire. The military described the operations as part of a broader campaign against groups backed by &ldquo;hostile intelligence networks.&rdquo; The clashes this week were among the most serious in months, leaving dozens of soldiers and civilians dead on both sides before the ceasefire took effect. The latest exchange comes after cross-border assaults on the night of October 11&ndash;12, when Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants launched coordinated attacks along multiple sectors. Pakistani forces repelled the offensive, killing over 200 attackers, while 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom, according to the military&rsquo;s media wing ISPR. As both sides prepare for talks, Sharif&rsquo;s remarks signal Islamabad&rsquo;s firm stance: any enduring peace, officials say, will depend on Kabul&rsquo;s willingness to rein in militants operating from Afghan soil.

According to security sources, a terrorist rammed an explosive‑laden vehicle into the wall of a security forces camp, which detonated; three more terrorists tried to enter the camp who were killed.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Afghanistan Border"

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Articles tagged with "Pakistan Afghanistan Border"

Pakistan slams Afghan Taliban over failure to curb cross-border attacks

Afghanistan to take ‘clear, verifiable action’ against terrorists: sources

Pakistan warns of strikes unless Kabul provides written anti-TTP assurances

Istanbul talks: Pakistan demands concrete Taliban action to stop cross-border terrorism

Pakistan kills 25 militants in Afghan-border infiltration attempt: military

Kunar River should be governed by international law, Islamabad tells Kabul

Pakistan, Afghanistan ceasefire brings hope as Torkham border awaits reopening

Doha talks with Afghanistan ‘concluded,’ statement expected soon: sources

Taliban now acting as India’s proxy, says Khawaja Asif​

Suicide attack in Pakistan’s northwest foiled, four terrorists killed: security sources

Taliban now acting as India’s proxy, says Khawaja Asif