Afghan and Pakistani negotiators will meet in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss security issues and establish a permanent ceasefire along their shared border after an outbreak of unexpectedly intense bloody clashes.
The conflict – which has resulted in dozens of deaths, including civilians – began two weeks ago after explosions in central Kabul, which the Taliban government blamed on its Pakistani neighbour, triggering retaliation on the border.
Vowing a strong response, Islamabad then launched “precision strikes” against armed groups on Afghan soil at the heart of the dispute, security sources said.
After further clashes that left soldiers and civilians dead, both sides declared an initial 48-hour ceasefire that collapsed two days later, with Kabul blaming Islamabad.
A second truce was forged on Sunday after talks in Doha, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, and appears to have held, although the circumstances were unclear.
Negotiators at Saturday’s talks are expected to detail the “mechanisms” announced in Doha to ensure a return to stability.
It was not clear when the talks would start or where the negotiators would meet in Istanbul.
The Afghan delegation, which traveled to Turkey on Friday, will be led by Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib. Islamabad has not announced who it is sending to the talks.
For the Taliban government, the goal is to ensure the territorial integrity of Afghanistan.
For Islamabad, the talks must address “the threat of terrorism coming from Afghan soil towards Pakistan,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi said on Friday, according to AFP.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
