US President Donald Trump on Friday said he could easily end the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He claimed he had already ended several global wars during his presidency.
Trump Speaks at the White House
Trump made the remarks during a working lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. He referred to the rising border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“Although I do understand that Pakistan attacked, or there is an attack going on with Afghanistan. That’s an easy one for me to solve if I have to solve it. In the meantime, I have to run the USA, but I love solving wars. You know why? I like stopping people from being killed, and I’ve saved millions and millions of lives.”
Ceasefire Extended After Deadly Clashes
His comments came as Pakistan and Afghanistan extended a 48-hour ceasefire after days of deadly border clashes. The violence killed dozens and injured hundreds.
Delegations from both sides met in Doha for talks. Saudi Arabia and Qatar helped mediate the discussions. However, despite the ceasefire, Pakistani airstrikes hit Afghanistan’s Barmal and Urgun districts, Reuters reported.
Suicide Attack Hits Pakistani Troops
Earlier, a suicide bomber attacked a military camp in North Waziristan. The explosion killed seven soldiers and injured 13 others. Security officials said militants used an explosive-laden vehicle to breach the camp’s wall before being neutralised by troops.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said six gunmen were killed in the assault.
Taliban Vows to Maintain Truce
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Ariana News that Kabul had ordered its forces to respect the ceasefire. He said Afghanistan would honour the truce as long as Pakistan stopped attacks.
Relations Hit New Low
Once close allies, Pakistan and Afghanistan are now locked in fierce border clashes. The rise in militant attacks has strained Islamabad’s ties with the Taliban government. The Taliban returned to power in 2021 after the US-led forces withdrew.