Pak-Afghan phone diplomacy rings 'no bell'

Despite several attempts at telephonic diplomacy, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan failed to establish contact on Thursday, even as both countries were engaged in sensitive truce discussions in Istanbul.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Afghan diplomatic sources claimed that the Afghan foreign minister of the Taliban administration, Amir Khan Muttaqi, had tried to contact his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, four times but was unable to reach him.

The Afghan diplomatic sources further claimed that the Afghan minister even attempted to call from another number, yet the call did not go through.

After some time, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reportedly tried twice to return the calls to his Afghan counterpart, but the attempts also failed to connect, the Afghan diplomatic sources said.

Responding to Afghan claims, Pakistani diplomatic sources confirmed that the Afghan foreign minister had indeed attempted to reach out multiple times but clarified that Ishaq Dar was busy in official engagements at that particular moment.

They added that soon after receiving the missed calls, the Pakistani foreign minister made two efforts to return the call, which again could not be completed.

Diplomatic officials in Islamabad emphasised that Pakistan does not wish to disturb the delicate environment of the ongoing Istanbul negotiations.

They also urged Afghan authorities to refrain from making public statements that could strain the diplomatic atmosphere at such a critical juncture.

Truce talks resume in Istanbul

Pakistani and Afghan negotiators resumed ceasefire talks in Turkey today, aiming to prevent a return to hostilities following their worst clashes in years.

Relations between the neighbours have soured in recent years, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harbouring militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan.

The two countries, former allies who share a 2,600-kilometre (1,600-mile) frontier, agreed on October 19 to a ceasefire mediated by Turkey and Qatar, although its details have not been finalised.

Reporter: Anwar Abbas