Journalism of Courage
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following days of peace talks in Doha, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced early Sunday. The decision came after a week of deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds injured in the worst fighting between the two neighbours since the Taliban took power in 2021, Reuters reported.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said the agreement was reached during a round of negotiations on Saturday mediated by Qatar and Turkey. Both sides also committed to holding follow-up meetings “to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner,” the statement added.
The Afghan and Pakistani delegations met in Doha on Saturday to discuss immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and prevent further violence. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob was leading Kabul’s team in the negotiations.
Pakistan’s foreign office said its delegation was headed by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif. “The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border,” the ministry said, according to Reuters.
The recent violence was triggered by Islamabad’s demand that the Taliban government curb militants allegedly operating from Afghan territory. The Pakistani military says these groups have stepped up attacks inside Pakistan in recent months.
The Taliban administration has denied harbouring any groups attacking Pakistan, accusing Islamabad instead of spreading misinformation and backing Islamic State-linked militants to destabilise Afghanistan. Pakistan has rejected those allegations.
Also Read: Truce ‘broken’ says Taliban after Pakistani strikes hit Afghanistan
On Friday, a suicide bombing near the border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured 13 others, according to security officials. Speaking at a cadet graduation ceremony a day later, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said, “The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan.”
Militant groups have fought for years to overthrow Pakistan’s government and impose their interpretation of Islamic rule.
The ceasefire, initially agreed upon earlier in the week, was extended on Friday for the duration of the talks. However, Afghan officials later accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes inside Afghanistan just hours after the truce was renewed.
Mujahid said the strikes targeted civilians and warned that Kabul reserved the right to respond, though Afghan forces were instructed not to retaliate out of respect for the ongoing negotiations.
In protest, Afghanistan withdrew from a Twenty20 tri-series scheduled in Pakistan next month, following the deaths of three local cricketers that the Afghanistan Cricket Board said were caused by airstrikes in Paktika province.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on X that the military had targeted “verified” camps of Islamist militants along the border, denying that civilians were hit.
He claimed more than 100 militants were killed in recent operations, most of them linked to the group that carried out Friday’s suicide bombing. He added that militants attempted to launch multiple attacks inside Pakistan during the ceasefire period.
(With inputs from agencies)
