Peace in Sight? Afghanistan and Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire After Weeks of Deadly Clashes

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following weeks of deadly border clashes, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced early on Sunday. The agreement was reached during talks in Doha on Saturday, mediated by Qatar and Turkey. The ministry said both sides had also agreed to hold follow-up meetings “to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner.” The talks come after the worst violence between the two neighbours since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Kabul’s delegation, led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob, had arrived in Doha for the talks. Pakistan’s foreign office said Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was leading its delegation. “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,” it said.Also Read: Fresh Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes Leave Dozens Dead Fighting between the two countries had intensified in recent weeks, including Pakistani airstrikes across the 2,600-kilometre (1,600-mile) frontier. Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring militants responsible for escalating attacks in Pakistan. “The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan,” Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, said on Saturday. The Taliban government denies sheltering militants and has accused Pakistan of spreading misinformation and conducting strikes that target civilians. Kabul said Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan hours after a temporary ceasefire was extended on Friday, claiming the attacks killed civilians in Paktika province. Afghanistan’s government said it reserved the right to respond but had instructed its fighters not to retaliate while negotiations continued. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Pakistani strikes had targeted “verified” militant camps and rejected reports that civilians were among the casualties. He said militants had attempted several attacks inside Pakistan during the ceasefire period and claimed that more than 100 militants were killed by security forces. Tensions have also spilled over into sports, with Afghanistan withdrawing from a Twenty20 tri-series in Pakistan next month. The Afghanistan Cricket Board said the decision followed the deaths of three local cricketers in what it described as Pakistani military strikes in Paktika. The recent violence included a suicide attack near the border on Friday that killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded 13, according to security officials. Both countries have now agreed to maintain the ceasefire while diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation.