As Pakistan and Afghanistan prepare to resume crucial peace talks in Turkey today , Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stark warning that if the negotiations collapse, it would force them to get into a 'war' with the Taliban.

The minister's blunt remarks came during an interview with Geo TV on the eve of the third round of dialogue, which will follow two earlier rounds in Doha and Istanbul that ended without a breakthrough. "If the negotiations fail, the situation will deteriorate further. We have our options. Considering how we are being targeted, we may respond in the same manner," Asif said.

The talks are being closely watched after a fragile ceasefire was brokered between the two neighbours following brief cross-border clashes earlier this month. Turkey has been mediati

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