ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Islamabad is willing to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan’s Taliban regime on reasonable terms, as both countries observe a 48-hour temporary ceasefire.
Chairing a federal cabinet meeting to review the Pak-Afghan border situation, the prime minister stated that the next move now lies with the Taliban authorities regarding a permanent cessation of hostilities.
PM Sharif alleged that the recent attack on Pakistan was carried out by the Taliban regime at India’s behest, noting that the assault coincided with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India.
According to the prime minister, Taliban forces and the India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij, launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, [Taliban regime in] Afghanistan did not prioritise peace and adopted the path of aggression.”
The Pakistan Armed Forces responded decisively in self-defence, eliminating more than 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants. The military’s media wing reported that 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred during the clashes.
Following a request from the Afghan Taliban authorities, and with mutual agreement, both sides implemented a 48-hour temporary ceasefire starting October 15.
“Yesterday we decided the temporary 48-hour ceasefire [and] the message has been sent that if they want to fulfil our justified conditions through talks, then we are ready. The ball is in their court,” PM Sharif said.
PM Shehbaz reiterated his hope that the ceasefire be maintained for the future on the basis of “solid demands”. “If this was only done to buy time, then we won’t accept it,” the premier warned.
The prime minister said that the Amir of Qatar had condemned the entire episode during their meeting in Egypt and expressed his willingness to help de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Shehbaz Sharif also praised the armed forces and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their firm response to the Afghan side during the recent clashes, describing the action as “necessary” in light of the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s security personnel in the fight against terrorism.
