Qatar: Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following a week of intense and deadly clashes along their disputed border, in talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that both countries had not only agreed to the ceasefire but also to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between them. The ministry added that follow-up meetings would be held in the coming days to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation reliably and sustainably.
The talks, held in Doha, came after clashes that killed dozens and injured hundreds, marking the worst violence between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban assumed power in Kabul in 2021.
Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the negotiations, stating that, “As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha,” noting that Kabul’s delegation was led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its delegation was led by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif. The discussions aimed at immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border.
The clashes erupted after Islamabad accused Kabul of allowing rebels to operate from safe havens in Afghanistan, triggering cross-border fighting and Pakistani air strikes along the 2,600km (1,600-mile) frontier. The Taliban has denied these claims, accusing Pakistan of spreading misinformation and sheltering ISIL-linked fighters. Islamabad, in turn, rejected the accusations, asserting that Afghan-based armed groups have waged years-long attacks against Pakistan to impose a strict Islamic governance system.
The tensions escalated when a suicide attack near the border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured 13, according to security officials. Addressing a cadet graduation ceremony, Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir remarked that, “The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan.” The ceasefire marks a significant step toward de-escalation, with both sides now tasked with ensuring its implementation and sustaining peace along the volatile border.
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