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“I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up, but I will solve it very quickly. Pakistan Field Marshal and PM are great people,” said US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump said his administration ended eight wars, helping millions stay alive. (File)
Even as US President Donald Trump participated in the signing of a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday, he hinted at mediation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict.
The Cambodia-Thailand agreement was signed soon after Trump’s arrival at a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur.
“I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up, but I will solve it very quickly. Pakistan Field Marshal and PM are great people,” said Trump, adding, “We are proud of the Gaza peace plan. We are also signing trade deal with Cambodia and critical minerals deal with Thailand. It is one of the eight wars my administration ended in eight months. Nothing like this has been done in history. Millions of people are alive today because of the peace deals. I prioritise trade over wars.”
VIDEO | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: USA President Donald Trump (@POTUS) said, “Ended 8 wars in 8 months. I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up, but I will solve it very quickly. Pakistan Field Marshal and PM are great people.”(Full video available on PTI Videos-… pic.twitter.com/l8yYpyZo8h
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 26, 2025
What Pakistan, Taliban sources say
Top Pakistani establishment sources said they are closely observing Trump’s remarks. They are seeing this as a potential diplomatic opening to regain Washington’s attention after years of strategic neglect under Joe Biden.
“The reference to Field Marshal Asim Munir is seen as deliberate. Naming Asim Munir is a signal that White House wants to deal with GHQ not Islamabad,” sources said.
Meanwhile, top Taliban sources said they are cautious if the US is again trying to enter Kabul. “Kabul fears that a Trump-led mediation could tilt in favor of Pakistan’s security rather than Afghanistan’s sovereignty narrative. Kabul fears that USA especially on the Durand Line issue and the sheltering of anti-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) elements will ask Kabul to bend,” they said.
VIDEO | Kuala Lumpur: US President Donald Trump, in a working session with US-ASEAN leaders, says, “The United States is committed to a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific. My message to Southeast Asian nations is that the US is with you 100% and will remain a strong partner… pic.twitter.com/uLeLTk2WNb— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 26, 2025
The Afghanistan-Pakistan clash
The fighting erupted after Pakistan reportedly launched cross-border airstrikes in Kabul on October 9, targeting TTP camps. Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring TTP militants, responsible for killing hundreds of Pakistani soldiers since 2021.
In response, Taliban mounted a major counteroffensive across the border, killing 58 Pakistani soldiers and destroying 20 security outposts over the weekend. Hostilities briefly paused after mediation by Saudi Arabia and Qatar but resumed. Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire on October 19.
Afghanistan on Wednesday announced it was ready to agree to a full ceasefire and resolve all issues through dialogue with Pakistan, in a bid to ease tensions between the two neighbours. According to a statement from Afghan authorities, the agreement includes a complete ceasefire, mutual respect, a ban on attacks against each other’s security forces, civilians, and infrastructure, and a commitment to settle all disputes through dialogue.
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
October 26, 2025, 13:20 IST
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