Islamabad to Kabul: Test us at your peril

PAKISTAN ISSUES STERN WARNING AFTER ISTANBUL TALKS COLLAPSE

- BY STEPHEN N.R. Senior Associate Editor

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a blister: ing warning to the Taliban rulers in Ka bul yesterday, declaring that any attempt to test Islamabad’s resolve would be “at your own peril and doom.”

His remarks came hours after the collapse of peace talks in Istanbul, the latest effort to address cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil.

The breakdown of the dia logue mediated by Qatar and Turkey — was confirmed in a predawn post by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who said the talks “failed to bring about any workable solution.”

The negotiations followed an earlier round in Doha that had produced a ceasefire on October 19, after deadly bor: der clashes left dozens dead, including soldiers, civilians, and militants.