Pakistan`s defense minister, ahead of the next round of peace negotiations with the Taliban in Istanbul, has accused Kabul of harboring terrorists and warned that "there will be war," escalating tensions between the two neighbors to a new level.

According to *AnsarPress*, the remarks came as Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan`s Minister of Defense, told a local television network that Afghanistan shelters terrorist groups and turns a blind eye to cross-border attacks.

His statements were made just hours before the start of the Turkey- and Qatar-mediated talks between Taliban and Pakistani officials in Istanbul - remarks that, according to Indian media outlets, have cast a shadow over efforts to end weeks of deadly border clashes.

In response, the Taliban rejected Islamabad`s accusations, instead blaming Pakistan for carrying out drone strikes that killed civilians in Afghan territory.

The peace talks, which began today in Istanbul, aim to preserve the fragile ceasefire that both sides agreed to earlier this month. The previous round of negotiations was marked by tense exchanges, though it ultimately resulted in a temporary extension of the ceasefire.

This new round is expected to focus on border skirmishes, drone operations, and the closure of key trade crossings, which have reportedly stranded over 8,000 Afghan shipping containers in Pakistan and caused severe economic losses for both nations.

Meanwhile, the Taliban`s Foreign Ministry dismissed claims by Pakistan`s foreign minister regarding "repeated contacts" with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban`s acting foreign minister, calling them "false and diplomatically unethical."

Analysts have warned that the provocative rhetoric from both sides could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire even before substantive negotiations begin - raising fears of a renewed escalation along the Afghan-Pakistani border.