Trump Vows to Resolve Afghanistan-Pakistan Crisis “Very Quickly”

UPDATE: U.S. President Donald Trump has declared he will resolve the escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis “very quickly,” as peace talks between the two nations entered their second day on September 24, 2023. The announcement comes amid rising tensions following deadly clashes earlier this month that have alarmed the region.

The fighting marked one of the most severe outbreaks of violence in years, with both nations accusing each other of aggression. As the Taliban begins to regain strength, international observers are closely monitoring the situation. Trump’s comments were made during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, where he expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations.

“I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up,” Trump stated. “But I’ll get that solved very quickly.” His remarks are expected to galvanize political and military leaders in Pakistan, who are eager for strengthened ties with the U.S.

The talks, which began in Istanbul on September 23, aim to convert a fragile ceasefire secured in Doha into a sustainable peace framework. The Afghan delegation has submitted a draft emphasizing the need for Pakistan to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty and refrain from allowing militants to operate from its territory.

Reports indicate that Taliban-controlled media, RTA, revealed a willingness to establish a “four-way channel” to monitor the ceasefire and address violations. Meanwhile, Pakistan submitted a counter-draft to the Afghan side, although official comments from Islamabad were not available immediately.

The recent violence has resulted in dozens of casualties in Afghanistan, with hundreds more injured. Pakistan, however, has denied targeting civilians, claiming its military operations are focused solely on militant hideouts.

Both nations are under pressure to reach a resolution, as armed groups like al-Qaida threaten to exploit the instability. Trump’s involvement could prove pivotal in shaping the outcome of these talks and potentially easing tensions that have persisted for years.

As developments continue to unfold, observers will be keenly watching how these negotiations progress and whether Trump’s assurances translate into meaningful action.