Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to meet in Doha today for critical peace talks aimed at curbing cross-border terrorism. The Doha peace talks come at a tense time as hostilities between the two neighbours intensify following recent strikes and escalating border violence. The discussions mark a key moment in efforts to restore stability along the Pak-Afghan frontier.
Delegation Led by Defence Minister
According to the Foreign Office, a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will engage with Afghan officials in Doha. The talks will focus on immediate measures to halt terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory and to restore calm along the border.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that Islamabad does not seek escalation but expects the Afghan Taliban government to uphold its commitments to the international community. It urged Kabul to take verifiable action against groups involved in terrorism targeting Pakistan.
Pakistan also acknowledged Qatar’s mediation efforts, expressing hope that the discussions would help bring peace and stability to the region.
Taliban Delegation Heads to Doha
On the Afghan side, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed that a delegation led by the group’s Defence Minister, Maulvi Muhammad Yaqub Mujahid, had departed for Doha. Reports from Kabul suggest that Taliban intelligence chief Mullah Wasiq is also part of the delegation.
Mujahid announced on social media that the Taliban had promised to hold negotiations with Pakistan and were fulfilling that commitment by sending their high-level team.
Read: Pakistan Justifies Strikes in Afghanistan as Self-Defense
Escalation Along the Border
Tensions remain high ahead of the talks. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar revealed that Pakistan carried out precision strikes last night targeting camps of the outlawed Gul Bahadur group. These operations took place along the border areas of North and South Waziristan, following multiple terrorist attempts from Afghan soil.
Tarar said terrorists tried to launch several attacks inside Pakistan during a 48-hour ceasefire but were effectively repelled by security forces. He added that over 100 militants were killed in counterattacks.
He further reported that terrorists carried out an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in North Waziristan, killing civilians and a soldier while injuring several others. In response, Pakistani forces launched precision strikes based on confirmed intelligence, eliminating around 60 to 70 militants, including key leaders of the Gul Bahadur group.
Tarar dismissed claims of civilian casualties in these strikes, calling them “false propaganda” aimed at generating sympathy for terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
Islamabad’s Security Stance
The information minister reiterated that Pakistan has every right to defend its people and territory. He said the country remains committed to resolving the issue through dialogue but will not allow militants to operate freely from Afghan soil.
“Pakistan believes the path forward lies in controlling non-state actors and ending Indian-sponsored terrorism emanating from Afghan territory,” he said. “We will continue safeguarding our sovereignty and citizens.”
Strikes Follow Military Attack
Friday’s airstrikes came after terrorists attacked a military installation in North Waziristan. The incidents occurred near the Angoor Adda border region and Afghanistan’s Urgun and Barmal districts in Paktika province. The strikes targeted hideouts of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, a militant faction responsible for repeated cross-border attacks.
The escalation happened just hours after Pakistan and Afghanistan had extended a two-day ceasefire. Despite the truce, renewed violence cast doubt on the upcoming dialogue in Doha.
Ceasefire Extension and Mediation
A security official confirmed that the ceasefire, originally announced on Wednesday, was mutually extended until the conclusion of the Doha talks. The truce was largely respected during its first phase, though talks initially planned for that period were postponed.
Sources said the delay occurred due to logistical challenges and hesitancy within the Taliban’s leadership to engage. Qatar, with support from Saudi Arabia, played a central role in persuading both sides to pause hostilities and meet in person.
Foreign Office Issues Warning
Earlier, outgoing Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan warned that Afghanistan had become a “central breeding ground for global terrorism.” He cautioned the international community against ignoring the threat, saying inaction could lead to larger regional instability.
“We should not wait for a global disaster before taking remedial action,” he said. “This fire will spread if left unchecked.”
Regional Fallout
The ongoing border crisis has also affected non-political ties between the two countries. The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced its withdrawal from a T20 tri-nation series scheduled in Pakistan next month, alleging that three Afghan players were killed in a Pakistani strike. The decision further strained already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
The situation remains fragile, with both nations navigating a delicate balance between diplomacy and defense. While the Doha peace talks offer a platform for dialogue, recent events have deepened mistrust.
Path Toward Stability
The outcome of today’s meeting in Doha will determine whether both sides can chart a peaceful path forward. Pakistan has signaled willingness to negotiate but insists on firm action from Kabul against terrorist elements using Afghan soil for attacks.
Qatar’s mediation presents an opportunity for meaningful engagement, but the success of these talks depends on tangible commitments and mutual restraint. For now, the world watches as Pakistan and Afghanistan attempt to defuse one of the region’s most volatile standoffs through dialogue rather than force.
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