Afghan and Pakistani Officials Hold Crisis Talks in Doha

Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan convened in Doha on March 30, 2024, to engage in urgent discussions aimed at resolving escalating tensions along their shared border. The talks come in the wake of intense fighting that has resulted in the deaths of dozens and injuries to hundreds over the past week. Both nations dispatched their defense ministers to lead the negotiations, which Pakistan described as focused on “immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the border.”

The recent violence has sparked accusations between the two countries, with each claiming to be responding to aggression from the other. Afghanistan has denied harboring militants responsible for attacks in border regions. As the situation grows increasingly precarious, regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have called for calm, recognizing the potential for further destabilization in a region already facing threats from groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida.

A 48-hour ceasefire that aimed to halt hostilities expired on March 29, 2024, leading to renewed military actions. Pakistani security officials confirmed air strikes on two districts in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province shortly after the ceasefire ended. These strikes targeted bases of the militant Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and were described as a direct response to a suicide bombing that occurred at a security forces compound in Mir Ali, located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to Pakistani officials, the air force operations resulted in numerous casualties among armed militants, while they reported no civilian deaths. Conversely, Afghan authorities claimed that at least 10 civilians, comprising women, children, and local cricketers, were among the casualties. Following these events, the national cricket board in Afghanistan announced a boycott of an upcoming series in Pakistan, underscoring the broader tensions at play.

The aftermath of the air strikes saw thousands gather for funeral prayers in Paktika, where loudspeakers broadcasted sermons condemning the violence. Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government, criticized the “repeated crimes of Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty.” He characterized these actions as provocative and suggested they were deliberate attempts to prolong the ongoing conflict.

The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, known as the Durand Line, spans approximately 2,611 kilometers (1,622 miles). Afghanistan has never officially recognized this border, which complicates the already fraught relationship between the two nations. Pakistan, currently confronting a rise in militancy, particularly in regions adjacent to Afghanistan, has accused its neighbor of providing sanctuary to armed groups, including claims of Indian support for these factions, although no evidence has been presented.

In a related comment, Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, called on Afghans to prioritize “mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hardline obscurantism.” He urged the Taliban to take control of militant groups operating within Afghanistan, reinforcing the necessity for cooperation to combat shared security threats.

As the situation continues to develop, both nations face the critical challenge of finding a path toward lasting peace and stability in a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics.