Deputy PM Ishaq Dar engages Turkish counterpart amid Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes

2026-02-27 - 11:34

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has personally reached out to Turkish leadership to discuss Pakistan’s response to what he described as “unexpected Afghan aggression.” In a telephonic call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Dar laid out the regional security crisis and the deteriorating situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to official accounts, Pakistan has undertaken what it calls “appropriate and effective action” in response to cross-border tensions. Islamabad insists the measures were defensive in nature, aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and border integrity. The military operation dubbed Operation Ghazb ul-Haq involved aerial strikes targeting positions linked to militant networks. Pakistani authorities argue the action was a direct reaction to Afghan moves they characterize as aggression, though Kabul disputes these claims. In briefing to Turkiye FM, Dar stressed that Pakistan’s armed forces acted to defend the country’s security and territorial boundaries amid a volatile and rapidly escalating situation. Both sides in the call underscored the importance of regional peace and stability. They agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days, signaling ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage the fallout and prevent further deterioration. The development highlights the growing international dimension of the crisis, with regional powers now engaging in behind-the-scenes diplomacy as military tensions continue to simmer along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan-Afghanistan War Like Situation – Operation Ghazab lil-Haq LIVE Updates