Pakistan and Afghanistan Trade Ceasefire Accusations During Peace Talks - Assalamu alaikum
Assalamu alaikum - Two neighbouring governments accused each other on Thursday of breaking the ceasefire with unprovoked firing along the border, even as delegations from both sides met in Istanbul for peace talks.
An Afghan government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Pakistani forces opened fire on Spin Boldak in the afternoon. He added that Afghan forces held fire out of respect for the negotiating team and to avoid harm to civilians.
Pakistan’s information ministry denied the claim, saying Afghan forces started the firing and that Pakistan’s troops responded quickly in a measured and responsible way.
The ministry said the situation was brought under control and that the ceasefire remains in place. It reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and said it expects the same cooperation from Afghan authorities.
ABOUT THE TALKS
Security is the main issue between them, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of allowing militant groups - especially the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) - to operate and carry out attacks in Pakistan, charges the Taliban administration rejects.
The Istanbul meetings aim to finalize a truce agreed on Oct. 19 in Qatar that followed a week of deadly clashes between the neighbours.
According to the UN, 50 civilians were killed and 447 wounded on the Afghan side during the October clashes; at least five people died in explosions in Kabul. Pakistan’s army reported 23 soldiers killed and 29 wounded.
Talks in Istanbul hit a deadlock last week over ceasefire details, with each side saying the other was not willing to cooperate, and both warning that hostilities could resume if an agreement failed.
Turkey, which hosted the meetings, said last week the parties had agreed to set up a monitoring and verification mechanism to help keep the peace and hold violators accountable.
The Afghan leadership stresses respect for Afghanistan’s territorial sovereignty, while Pakistan also accuses Afghanistan of acting with support from India amid growing ties between Kabul and New Delhi.
May Allah grant the two countries wisdom and protect innocent lives. Salam.
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