‘If patience is tested again ...’: Afghanistan's stern warning to Pakistan after ceasefire; how talks unfolded

Afghanistan’s interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, saying Kabul’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness as both sides agreed to maintain a fragile ceasefire after days of failed negotiations.Haqqani warned that if Afghanistan’s patience was tested again, the country would deliver a “crushing” response. “Defending our territory is among our priorities,” he said. “Yet despite all this, the path of understanding remains open. But if someone commits aggression, we have fought the emperors of the world and it is no difficulty for us to defend our territory,” the interior minister said as quoted by TOLOnews.Also read: Pak, Afghanistan agree to truce after talks; follow-up meet on Nov 6Haqqani added that Afghanistan may lack long-range missiles or heavy weapons but has “strong resolve and determination in the battle against aggression.” Without naming Pakistan, he accused some nations of violating the sovereignty of others “to preserve their interests.” “Afghans have proved themselves in the battlefield,” he warned. “If our patience is tested again, our response will be very crushing,” he said, as per TOLOnews.

His comments came soon after Turkey announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to uphold a ceasefire following days of tense talks in Istanbul, mediated by Turkey and Qatar. The ceasefire deal, confirmed on Thursday, aims to prevent further border clashes that have recently left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead. The two sides are set to reconvene in Istanbul on November 6 to finalise a monitoring and verification mechanism, including penalties for any violation of the agreement.Despite the progress, the border remains shut, with hundreds of trucks and refugees stranded on both sides. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Kabul was committed to “resolving disputes through diplomacy” and wanted “relations based on mutual respect, non-interference, and not posing a threat to any side.”In Islamabad, defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said Pakistan agreed to continue talks at the request of Qatar and Turkey.

Pakistani officials reiterated that their main demand was for Afghanistan to take “clear, verifiable and effective action” against militant groups operating on its soil.Tensions spiked earlier this month when Kabul accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes inside Afghanistan, including one that hit a market in the east. Afghan officials claimed they retaliated, killing 58 Pakistani soldiers, though Islamabad said 23 of its troops died while targeting militant hideouts.