Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is addressing the federal cabinet on the border situation with Afghanistan in the wake of recent hostilities with the country.
Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to a temporary ceasefire after a fresh round of deadly cross-border clashes that threatened to escalate into a wider conflict. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the ceasefire, implemented at the Taliban’s request and with mutual consent, took effect at 6pm local time and would last for 48 hours.
The announcement followed sustained hostilities between the two countries over the weekend.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet today on the situation, PM Shehbaz said officials from Pakistan had visited Kabul many times and engaged in cordial dialogue on resolving their issues together with mutual agreement for the sake of peace and prosperity.
“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, this was not possible and when this attack was was ongoing on Pakistan on India’s complete incitement, their (Afghan) Foreign Minister [Amir] Muttaqi was in New Delhi so we were forced to provide a comprehensive response by the Pakistan Army.”
After the round of conflict, he said the Afghan side had asked for a ceasefire and made a request. “Yesterday we decided that the temporary 48-hour ceasefire [and] the message has been sent that if they want to fulfil our justified conditions through talks then we are ready. The ball is in their court.”
More to follow.
