Regional Efforts to Calm Kabul-Islamabad Tensions Yield No Result
As tensions rise between Afghanistan and Pakistan, discussions concerning Afghanistan have also intensified in Islamabad. During an official visit to Islamabad, Jordan’s King Abdullah II met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss regional developments, including Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan.
Pakistani media reported that Shehbaz Sharif briefed King Abdullah on the latest regional developments, particularly those related to Afghanistan and India.
Political analyst Javid Momand said: “Pakistan and Afghanistan are two independent countries. They must respect each other’s internal affairs and policies. However, it appears that Pakistan made unreasonable and unrealistic demands during talks, which led to their failure.”
Following Islamabad’s airstrikes on Kabul and Paktika on October 9, Qatar and Turkey hosted three rounds of mediation talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Doha and Istanbul. However, the third round ended without result, reportedly due to what the Islamic Emirate called Pakistan’s “unreasonable demands.”
Political expert Sayed Akbar Agha said: “Any country that acts on the behalf of another will not benefit itself or its neighbors.”
Last week, Turkey’s president announced that his country’s foreign minister, defense minister, and intelligence chief would visit Pakistan to finalize a ceasefire agreement between Kabul and Islamabad. However, the visit has not yet taken place, and neither Pakistan nor Turkey has issued an explanation.
Political analyst Nisar Ahmad Shirzai commented: “The Turkish high-level delegation’s cancellation of the visit to Islamabad reflects their understanding that Pakistan does not truly believe in diplomacy.”
Despite the failure of the third round of Afghanistan-Pakistan talks, regional efforts to ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue. However, these initiatives have yet to yield tangible results.
