Khawaja Asif Warns of “Open War” If Talks with Afghan Taliban Fail; Pakistan Urges Implementation of Doha Truce

SIALKOT / ISLAMABAD:Pakistan’s Defence Minister **Khawaja Muhammad Asif** warned on Wednesday that if negotiations with the Afghan Taliban do not resolve outstanding issues, Islamabad could face an **“open war”** with Afghanistan. He made the remarks while speaking to media in Sialkot, stressing that Pakistan’s security forces have been sacrificing to protect the country and that the public sleeps peacefully because their protectors remain vigilant. ([Reuters][1])

Asif reiterated Islamabad’s demand that the Taliban stop cross-border militant activity and honor commitments made during earlier talks. He accused elements in Kabul of acting as a proxy for India and said longstanding hospitality toward Afghans has not been reciprocated, adding that Afghan migrants in Pakistan have taken jobs and businesses in some areas — remarks that have fuelled tensions between the two neighbors. ([www.ndtv.com][2])

The comments come as the **second round of Pakistan–Afghanistan talks** is under way in Turkey, a follow-up to Doha talks that produced a temporary ceasefire earlier this month. Pakistani officials say the Istanbul talks aim to review implementation of the Doha agreement and set up monitoring mechanisms to prevent cross-border attacks. ([Reuters][3])

Asif made clear that Islamabad rules out negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and will only engage with the Afghan Taliban leadership — while warning that failure to finalize and enforce the monitoring mechanism would risk renewed hostilities. Observers say the ceasefire remains fragile and hinges on swift Taliban action to rein in militants operating from Afghan territory. ([Geo News][4])