Afghanistan and Pakistan, both under Taliban rule, have resumed talks after facing a deadlock. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khwaja Asif, pointed fingers at India following the failed peace discussions in Turkey. The impasse stemmed from Islamabad’s inability to halt US drone operations in Afghanistan via Pakistani territory.
According to negotiators, Afghanistan proposed to stop the use of its soil for attacks on Pakistan if Islamabad ceased breaching Afghan airspace and prevented US drone activities. However, Pakistan rejected this condition. In a final attempt to salvage the negotiations, Afghan and Pakistani delegates reconvened in Istanbul.
Recent revelations indicated that a “foreign country” was launching drone attacks in Afghanistan from Pakistani soil, with the US identified as the responsible party. Pakistan acknowledged an agreement allowing drone strikes within its airspace for surveillance and potential operations in Afghanistan, citing its inability to break this pact.
During the talks, Pakistani negotiators initially agreed to certain terms but backtracked after a pivotal phone call, suggesting they lacked control over US drones and couldn’t address ISIS threats adequately. Mediators from Qatar and Turkey were surprised by Pakistan’s conduct.
Despite blaming the Taliban leadership and India for the talks’ failure, Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif failed to disclose how the Pakistani team’s stance shifted after the phone call concerning US drone strikes. After the negotiations collapsed, Asif even issued a warning to the Taliban reminiscent of the 2001 battle of Tora Bora.
Under President Donald Trump, Pakistan strengthened its ties with the US, as evident from high-level engagements, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to meet Trump. Trump has demanded the return of the Bagram airbase from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, emphasizing the volatile situation along the Durand Line.
The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated due to TTP attacks on Pakistani forces, leading to retaliatory air strikes. The ensuing drone strikes and jet bombings resulted in casualties on both sides, with civilian deaths reported in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s use of air and drone power against Afghanistan raised concerns, especially with its admission of permitting US drone operations from its territory.
The revelation of a secret agreement allowing US drone strikes from Pakistani soil highlighted Islamabad’s dilemma in halting such actions. This revelation played a crucial role in the stalemate at the Istanbul talks, underscoring Pakistan’s predicament in managing external pressures.