After more than a week of intense fighting that killed dozens and injured hundreds, Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday. The breakthrough came after high-level peace talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, aimed at easing one of the most violent escalations between the two nations in recent years.
Afghanistan and Pakistan Agree to Immediate Ceasefire Following Doha Talks
The ceasefire agreement comes as part of a broader understanding between the two neighboring countries to establish mechanisms that promote lasting peace and stability. According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, both sides will hold follow-up discussions in the coming days to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire. Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan, led by their respective defense ministers, participated in the Doha talks to address border tensions and discuss steps to curb cross-border terrorism.
Qatar and Turkey Mediate as Violence Threatens Regional Stability
Qatar and Turkey facilitated the talks amid fears that ongoing violence could destabilize the region, already under threat from extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida. Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, have also urged restraint and dialogue. The ceasefire follows a 48-hour truce that expired on Friday evening, after which Pakistan conducted retaliatory airstrikes inside Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting militant hideouts linked to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.
Airstrikes Deepen Rift Between the Two Nations
Pakistani officials stated that the air operations were a direct response to a suicide bombing at a security forces compound in Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They claimed that dozens of militants were killed with no civilian casualties. However, Afghan officials reported at least 10 civilian deaths, including women, children, and three local cricketers, which led Afghanistan’s cricket board to boycott an upcoming series in Pakistan. Thousands attended funeral prayers in Paktika on Saturday, where speakers condemned the attacks and called for peace.
Regional Tensions and the Path Ahead for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned Pakistan’s cross-border operations, calling them violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and “deliberate attempts” to prolong the conflict. The two countries share a 2,611-kilometer border known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized. Pakistan continues to face a surge in militancy, particularly near its western border, and has accused Afghanistan of providing safe havens to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a charge Kabul denies. Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, urged Afghanistan to prioritize “mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hardline obscurantism.”
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