Lt. Gen. Raza Muhammad Khan (Defence Analyst): It is very unfortunate that talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan have not succeeded. Taliban regime’s reluctance and refusal to take action against Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) proves that they are behind TTP and other terrorist groups active against Pakistan. Taliban regime is supporting, financing and providing safe havens to TTP and other terrorist groups. This also proves the correctness of Pakistan’s narrative that TTP and other terrorist outfits get support from Afghanistan.  Afghan Taliban regime not concerned about the wellbeing of Afghan people as well as Pakistani nation who supported them politically and diplomatically at international and regional levels over the decades. They are only concerned about saving and defending terrorists. Our defence minister and military leadership has made it clear that no terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil will be tolerated and Pakistan’s response will be decisive. India and other countries are trying to use Afghanistan regime against Pakistan. Therefore international community must note with grave concerns because Taliban regime is directly involved in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. In this context, all the regional powers must also not Indian role in destabilization of entire region.   

 Brig. (R) Ahmad Saeed Minhas (Defence Analyst): After Doha talks, there was optimism about success of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul but unfortunately, Afghan Taliban regime sent an undermining delegation of negotiators instead of high powered team. Almost four rounds of talks were held in last four days and both sides neared to signing the joint communiqué on several occasions but, Afghan negotiators often went out of the room and get new instructions from Kabul. Now the whole world is aware that Kabul is under full control of India. It is unfortunate that Kabul has accepted to become Indian proxy against Pakistan. Actually, Taliban regime has control over only few provinces of Afghanistan therefore, as mercenaries, they have accepted to become Indian proxy. Actually, from the day first, Taliban regime started the dialogue process with Pakistan under a denying mood. Now, in self defence, Pakistan is left with no other other option except to conduct a hot pursuit operation in case of any terrorist attack from Afghan soil. Under UN Charter Pakistan is also authorized to carry out preemptive strike in the wake of threat of terrorist attack. Afghans are quite aware that Pakistan brought Indian forces to knees in half of an hour and India rushed to the US for ceasefire. Pakistan does not want war with Afghanistan, therefore, Afghan Taliban regime must honour commitment made at Doha talks that they would not allow Afghan soil to be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. However, there are reports that Iran and Saudi Arabia have also showed interest in this issue and they wish that Pakistan and Afghanistan must continue with peace talks. In case of failure of Iranian and Saudi efforts, then US President Donald Trump may also play his role in this regard. In fact India knows that world has not recognized Afghan Taliban regime therefore in a bid to fill the vacuum, Indi can create low profile conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan by dolling out money to Taliban regime. In connivance with Afghan Taliban regime, India wants to create a confrontational situation before Bihar and New Delhi elections so that BJP may come into power again. Our first priority will be peace talks as military action will be damaging for both Afghanistan and entire region.

 Dr. Aamer Raza (IR Expert): Pakistan is a peace loving country and desires resolution of all international disputes peacefully through dialogue. This is why; Pakistan has never started war even with India as Pakistan has preferred talks instead of confrontation. Actually, Afghanistan has serious political differences and divides on ethnic, tribal and other basis. Secondly, Afghanistan faces economic crisis because Afghan economy was dependent on US financial assistance which is blocked at now. Moreover, Afghanistan has grave social issues like women education and others. In this context, Afghan governments have been habitual of blaming Pakistan for their internal failures. Afghan governments used to cheat their people through false anti-Pakistan narratives so that people may ignore failures of their governments. Pakistan had high hopes with Taliban regime as Pakistan facilitated their dialogue in Doha with US forces which led them to power. But Afghan Taliban also followed the habit of their predecessor governments and started blaming Pakistan for their own failures. Even Afghan Taliban crossed the limits of their previous governments and supported terrorism inside Pakistan. Now Pakistan as a state is totally exhausted due to double game of Taliban because we have lost hundreds of security forces personnel in terrorist attacks in last few months. Taliban’s support to terrorism in Pakistan is a painful aspect. Visit of Mullah Muttaki to India may also be seen in the context that some factions of Afghan society are beneficiary of war economy. Now Taliban regime thinks that they will get money from India for conducting terrorist attacks on Pakistan.