Pakistani And Afghan Delegations Arrive In Doha For Talks

Delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan have arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to attend talks following recent clashes between the two countries.

Talks in Doha are expected to begin following a ceasefire reached between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In this regard, the defense ministers of both countries arrived in Doha to participate in the negotiations.

A message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, published on the social network of the American company X, said that the negotiations from the Pakistani side will be led by Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif. “Discussions will focus on urgent measures needed to restore peace and stability in the country. Pakistan-Afghan border,” the report notes.

It was previously reported that the 48-hour ceasefire between the parties announced on October 15 was extended until the completion of negotiations, which are to be held in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The aggravation of the situation on the Afghan-Pakistan border

On October 9, Islamabad caused several airstrikes on Kabul as part of the fight against the Pakistani Tehreek Taliban (TTP).

On October 11, in the province of Paktia, located on the border with Pakistan, there were fierce exchanges of fire between the border troops of the two countries.

Afghan authorities reported that the fighting had ceased thanks to the mediation of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, on October 14, border tensions escalated again.

On October 15, Pakistan announced a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours in response to the Afghan side’s request for a ceasefire.

Pakistan’s expectations from the Afghan leadership

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the new Afghan leadership to take action against the TTP since 2021 This year, the Taliban took control of the country.

Islamabad claims that the TTP, which it has designated as a terrorist organization, has taken root in Afghanistan and continues to carry out attacks on Pakistani soil from there, while authorities in Kabul have not taken sufficient action. The Afghan side, however, states that the TTP does not operate on its territory.

The TTP movement actively uses the Pashtun tribal areas located along the Durand Line, a conventional border drawn during the British colonial period and separating the territories of Afghanistan and Pakistan.