UPDATE: U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that he will resolve the escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis “very quickly,” as crucial peace talks between the two nations enter their second day. The discussions are taking place in Istanbul and come amid fierce military clashes that recently marked the deadliest fighting between the two countries in several years.
This urgent development is critical as tensions have surged, with both nations accusing each other of aggression. The violence has raised alarm in a region where extremist groups, including al-Qaida, are attempting to regain a foothold. This ongoing conflict has resulted in dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries in Afghanistan, according to reports.
During remarks made at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Trump emphasized his commitment to facilitating peace, stating, “I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up. But I’ll get that solved very quickly.” His comments are expected to invigorate Pakistan’s political and military leadership, which seeks closer ties with the U.S. and has previously praised Trump for his role in defusing tensions with India.
The current peace talks, which began on Saturday, are aimed at converting a fragile ceasefire achieved earlier this month in Doha into a comprehensive framework for lasting peace and border security. Reports from Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) reveal that after 15 hours of negotiations, Afghan representatives have proposed a draft agreement focused on preventing Pakistan from violating Afghanistan’s territory and airspace.
Additionally, the draft seeks to ensure that no anti-Afghan groups are permitted to use Pakistani territory to launch attacks. Both sides have expressed a willingness to establish a “four-way channel” to monitor the ceasefire and exchange information on any violations.
As the situation develops, the response from the Pakistani government remains pending, with officials unavailable for immediate comments. The outcome of these peace talks is of paramount importance, not only for Afghanistan and Pakistan but for regional stability as well.
With the eyes of the world on this critical negotiation, the immediate next steps will be closely monitored. The progress made in the coming days could significantly impact the future of relations in the region and the fight against extremism.
