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October 17, 2025

‘Ball is in Kabul’s court’ as Islamabad signals readiness for ‘conditional dialogue’: PM

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‘Ball is in Kabul’s court’ as Islamabad signals readiness for ‘conditional dialogue’: PM
  • Premier Shehbaz emphasizes truce must rest on ‘solid demands’, not tactical pauses ‘to buy time’
  • Lauds army, COAS for ‘necessary’ response to Afghan aggression, saying Qatar, allies making efforts to defuse Islamabad-Kabul tensions
  • Hopes situation could be resolved on a long-term basis, including elimination of Fitna al-Khwarij from Afghan soil
  • Welcomes Gaza ceasefire, hails role of Muslim nations, US
  • Calls recent IMF agreement a ‘turning point,’ vowing to end loan dependency
  • Meets Bilawal-led PPP delegation to discuss political situation, Gaza truce
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan was ready for dialogue if Kabul agreed to fulfill Islamabad’s “justified” conditions following the recent hostilities between the two neighbours, stressing that any future ceasefire must rest on “solid demands” rather than tactical pauses. “The ceasefire should be maintained on the basis of solid demands—but if it is merely to buy time, we won’t accept it,” the premier warned while addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed on Wednesday to a temporary ceasefire after a fresh spell of deadly cross-border clashes that threatened to spiral into a wider conflict. The Foreign Office (FO) said the truce, which took effect at 6pm local time on October 15 for 48 hours, was implemented at the Taliban regime’s request and with mutual consent. The prime minister told the cabinet that the Afghan side had “formally requested” the ceasefire. “Yesterday we decided the 48-hour truce and conveyed that if they want to fulfil our justified conditions through talks, we are ready. The ball is now in their court,” he remarked. He said that if the Afghan authorities were sincere, they would initiate steps toward dialogue, noting that Pakistan’s allies—particularly Qatar — were also making efforts to de-escalate tensions. Premier Shehbaz expressed hope that the situation could be resolved on a long-term basis, including the elimination of the Fitna al-Khwarij from Afghan soil to ensure it is no longer used by terrorists. The term refers to militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He recalled that Pakistani officials had made multiple visits to Kabul for cordial discussions aimed at resolving issues through mutual understanding. “Unfortunately, despite all efforts, this was not possible. And when the attack on Pakistan was under way, on India’s full instigation, their Foreign Minister [Amir] Muttaqi was in New Delhi — so we were compelled to respond comprehensively,” he said. The prime minister said the Emir of Qatar had condemned the escalation during talks with him in Egypt and expressed his willingness to help calm tensions. PM Shehbaz also praised the armed forces and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir for their “necessary and befitting” response during the border conflict, noting the heavy sacrifices of Pakistan’s security personnel in counterterrorism operations. Gaza ceasefire Turning to the Middle East, the prime minister welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza, calling it a “great achievement” that had saved lives in the besieged territory. He deplored the politicisation of the issue within Pakistan and lauded the efforts of the United States and Muslim countries—including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, Indonesia and the UAE—in securing the truce. Premier Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, saying the country would “continue to strive for this cause.” Welcomes IMF agreement The prime minister also hailed Pakistan’s recent staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), commending his economic team and the finance ministry for “working day and night” to achieve it. “This should be the last programme that Pakistan enters with the IMF,” he said, adding that the country must now work hard to become self-reliant and free from external loans. Meeting with PPP delegation Later, a delegation led by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on the prime minister to discuss the prevailing political situation. PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Senator Sherry Rehman, Nayyar Bukhari, Nadeem Afzal Chan and Syed Ali Qasim Gilani accompanied Mr Bhutto-Zardari, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and several senior ministers and advisers were also present. The prime minister said the PPP was a valued ally and that the coalition viewed its partnership with respect. The delegation, in turn, lauded Pakistan’s role in facilitating the Gaza peace process.
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