Pakistan and Afghanistan held talks for over five hours.
Pakistan’s stance was that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group carry out attacks from Afghan soil.
Afghan officials, however, maintained that the TTP and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group are based inside Pakistan.
Pakistan claimed to have solid evidence proving that militants cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
Pakistan also complained that its citizens receive extortion calls from Afghanistan. In response, Afghanistan said that action has been taken against those involved.
The second round of talks will be held in Qatar tomorrow.
Earlier in the day, a Pakistani delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reached Doha to hold talks with the Afghan Taliban regarding measures for preventing cross-border terrorism.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan does not seek escalation or tension, emphasising that it desires a peaceful resolution for regional stability and security. Pakistan urged the Afghan Taliban to honor their international commitments and address Pakistan’s security concerns.
Previously, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime had agreed to maintain a ceasefire along the border until the Doha negotiations resumed.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said “If they want to talk on our valid conditions and want to resolve through dialogue we are ready for that. This message has been given to them yesterday. Now the ball is in their court.”
“If this ceasefire is done just to buy time, we will not accept it,” he added.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif castigated the Afghan regime for not responding positively despite “five years of Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices”, noting that Afghanistan has become “a proxy of India”.
