Pakistan, Afghanistan Agree on Ceasefire, to Establish Mechanisms for Lasting Peace
Islamabad: Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an agreement on an immediate ceasefire and the creation of mechanisms aimed at ensuring lasting peace, following several days of intense cross-border clashes that claimed the lives of soldiers, civilians, and militants on both sides, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The breakthrough was achieved after high-level negotiations between Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Afghanistan’s acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, according to a statement issued by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.
“Both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to establish mechanisms that will help consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the statement read.
The two nations also committed to holding follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the effective implementation and sustainability of the ceasefire in a “reliable and durable” manner, aimed at achieving long-term security and stability.
The agreement comes amid escalating tensions along the Pak-Afghan border, triggered by cross-border hostilities following alleged Pakistani airstrikes near Kabul last week.
During the Doha talks, Pakistan urged the Taliban authorities to take verifiable action against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of orchestrating cross-border terrorist attacks from Afghan territory.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stressed the need for Kabul to honor its commitments to the international community and address Islamabad’s “legitimate security concerns” through concrete action against terrorist networks.
“Pakistan appreciates the mediation efforts of Qatar and hopes these discussions will contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region,” the statement added.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained tense since 2023, with Islamabad repeatedly expressing concerns over Afghan soil being used by militants for attacks inside Pakistan.
Tensions escalated further after recent TTP attacks, including one in Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which killed 11 military personnel, among them a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major.
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced a temporary 48-hour ceasefire, which was later extended. However, hours after the extension, Pakistan conducted fresh airstrikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, reportedly killing several people, including three Afghan cricketers.
The airstrikes followed a TTP-claimed attack on a military installation in North Waziristan. In response, the Afghanistan Cricket Board withdrew from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled for late November.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, warned Kabul to choose between “peace and chaos,” urging the Afghan government to take decisive action against terrorists operating from its territory.
