'This Will Cost You Dearly': Taliban Minister warns Pakistan as peace talks fail

Kabul: Afghanistan's Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, warned Pakistan against ‘transporting’ its problems into Afghanistan thus creating turmoil in the country, saying ‘this mistake will cost you dearly’.

Haqqani’s statement comes against the backdrop of intense conflict between neighbours a few days ago and subsequent failed peace negotiations, suggesting an escalation of violence in the days to come.

Addressing the closing session of a Firefighting Directorate training seminar, Haqqani said: ‘The people of Afghanistan may have internal problems, but they are united against foreign aggression’.

In a more direct remarks at Islamabad, he said ‘if you bring your problems into Afghanistan and create turmoil here, this mistake will cost you dearly.’

The impassioned statement of Afghanistan’s minister points to deepening mistrust between the two uneasy neighbours.

The Pak-Afghan border recently witnessed deadly skirmishes with both sides accusing each of other of unproved aggression.

Subsequently, leader of both countries sat for peace negotiations in Istanbul mediated by Turkish officials, which collapsed earlier this week over differences regarding cross-border terror and US drone operations.

Haqqani announced that his country would defend itself despite limited weaponry: ‘We do not possess long-range missiles or powerful weapons, but our resolve and determination are strong,’ adding ‘If our patience is tested again, the response will be crushing.’

Urging Pakistan to take care of its internal stability, he made it clear ‘We have repeatedly told the Pakistani side to resolve their problems internally,’ stressing further ‘Every person should prioritise the benefit of their homeland, that expectation should not be placed on another country’.

However, Pakistani side accused Afghan Taliban of harbouring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to use Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan.