Qatar urges restraint amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan – JURIST
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar released a statement on Sunday, expressing concern over the rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and urging both countries to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy.
According to a report by Pakistan’s news organisation DAWN, the Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants launched an attack from the Afghan side of the border, killing at least 23 Pakistani troops and injuring 29 others, as per Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has stated:
Deeply concerned over the developments on the Pak-Afghan border. Unprovoked firing and raids along the Pak-Afghan border by the Taliban Government are a serious provocation. Pakistan’s befitting response and strikes are against Taliban infrastructure and to neutralize Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil. Our defensive response is not targeted towards the peace-loving Afghan civilian population. Unlike Taliban Forces, we are exercising extreme caution in our defensive responses to avoid loss of civilian lives. We expect the Taliban Government to take concrete measures against terrorist elements and their perpetrators who wish to derail Pak-Afghan relations. Pakistan will take all possible measures to defend its own territory, sovereignty and its people.
On the other hand, a statement from Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, states that the “imaginary line” with Pakistan and the nation’s borders are under control, and recent security improvements have led to a decrease in criminal activity. It charges a particular group within the Pakistani military with inciting instability through the dissemination of false information, inciting border tensions (such as airspace violations and bombings), and allowing or harbouring extremist organisations. The statement lists previous attacks that it attributes to Pakistani-based networks, asserts that those networks are reorganising, and makes connections to foreign agents.
The statement further calls on Pakistan to halt hostile actions and provocations, take verifiable steps against militant hideouts, and turn over or expel specific extremist leaders it names. In addition to asserting that Afghanistan will protect its airspace and territory and favouring communication and collaboration with regional and global partners, it issues a warning that inaction will have “severe and undesirable consequences.” Reassurances regarding internal security are interspersed with harsh charges and demands directed at Pakistan.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, also urged both nations to de-escalate. He stated in a tweet:
Nothing good can come from fresh tensions and clashes along the Afghan/Pakistani border – a fragile frontier, theatre of conflict, forced displacement and humanitarian crises for decades. For the sake of those impacted and of regional stability, let’s hope for rapid de-escalation.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are historically complex and fraught with tension, primarily centred around the disputed Durand Line border. Established in 1893 between British India and Afghanistan, this border has never been officially recognised by any Afghan government, leading to persistent territorial disputes. Islamabad now accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that carries out attacks within Pakistan. This has led to a significant escalation in border tensions, with deadly clashes, cross-border airstrikes, and a breakdown in diplomatic relations.
