Pakistan has turned to President Donald Trump to help ease tensions in the ongoing conflict with the Taliban. The appeal from Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif comes as Islamabad and the Taliban recently agreed to a temporary ceasefire following border clashes and deadly air strikes on Kabul and Kandahar.
In an interview with GeoTV, Asif praised Trump for his efforts in negotiating peace, contrasting him with past U.S. presidents who had sponsored wars. Trump himself hinted at intervening in the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict during a recent event in Egypt.
Behind Trump’s interest in the conflict may lie a broader agenda, including the desire to regain control of Afghanistan’s Bagram air base near Kabul. The evolving relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. has seen significant changes in recent months, with Pakistan making efforts to strengthen ties with America.
Pakistan’s appeal to Trump reflects concerns over the fragility of the ceasefire with the Taliban. Asif suggested that the Taliban was fighting a proxy war on behalf of India, adding complexity to the situation. The recent visit of Taliban’s foreign minister to India has further strained relations between the countries.
Recent border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated tensions, with both sides claiming casualties and engaging in retaliatory actions. Pakistan accused the Taliban of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants responsible for attacks on Pakistani forces. The cycle of violence and the embarrassing incidents involving captured Pakistani soldiers have heightened Pakistan’s urgency for external mediation to resolve the conflict.