Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed confidence today that the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan want peace. At the same time, he warned that if the talks between the two neighboring countries in Istanbul do not reach a peace agreement, it will lead to "open war", Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The agency notes that Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed a few days ago to a ceasefire after deadly clashes in the border area.
The negotiations in the Turkish metropolis began today and are expected to continue tomorrow. The aim is to avoid a repeat of the worst clashes between the two sides since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
The negotiators will specifically try to develop a mechanism for the long-term implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached in the Qatari capital of Doha.