Pakistan's Defence Minister stated on Saturday that he believes Afghanistan desires peace, but warned that failure to reach an agreement during talks in Istanbul could lead to "open war." This comes days after both sides agreed to a ceasefire following deadly border clashes.
The Istanbul talks, which began on Saturday and are expected to continue into Sunday, represent the latest effort by Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent further violence after the worst border fighting since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Kabul. The discussions aim to establish a long-term mechanism to enforce the Doha ceasefire.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif noted that there had been no incidents in the four to five days since the truce was agreed upon, and both sides had adhered to the ceasefire. "We have the option, if no agreement is reached, to go to open war with them," he said in televised comments from Pakistan. "But I believe they want peace."
The clashes earlier this month were triggered by Pakistan's demand that the Taliban curb militants operating from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. In response, Pakistan launched airstrikes across the border, leading to heavy exchanges of fire that killed dozens and resulted in the closure of key border crossings, which remain shut.
Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering militants who target Pakistani forces, while the Taliban denies the accusation, asserting that Pakistan's military actions violate Afghan sovereignty.
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took t...
Saudi Arabia has restored its vital East-West oil pipeline to near-full capacity, but escalating Houthi attacks on energy facilities, airports and ...
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 9 October 2026 with five key developments from the CIS summit in Turkmenistan....
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
U.S. federal immigration agents shot and wounded a man in a car with a five-year-old boy inside in New York City’s Bronx neighbourhood on Thursday, city officials, police and witnesses say.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised the United States following a series of Russian attacks that killed more than 70 people over two days, arguing that Washington is not doing enough to help Kyiv counter Moscow's continued assault.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
The United States has unveiled a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's energy exports, taking aim at vessels, companies and individuals accused of helping move Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals to overseas markets.
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