ISLAMABAD – Amidst a series of violent clashes that have left dozens dead and hundreds injured, Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, announced on Sunday.
This ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, was set to take effect immediately, aiming to halt the ongoing hostilities between the two nations.
Tensions between the neighboring countries have been on the rise since the beginning of the month, with each accusing the other of initiating the aggression. Afghanistan has refuted claims that it shelters militants who launch attacks on border areas.
Pakistan has been facing a resurgence of militancy since 2021, coinciding with the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
Following discussions in Doha, the Qatari capital, the Taliban government’s main spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations.
He said both countries had signed a bilateral agreement.
“It has been decided that neither country will undertake any hostile actions against the other, nor will they support groups carrying out attacks against Pakistan. Both sides will refrain from targeting each other’s security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure.”
A mechanism would be established in the future, “under the mediation of intermediary countries,” to review bilateral claims and ensure the effective implementation of this agreement.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif posted confirmation of the deal on X.
“Cross-border terrorism from Afghan territory will cease immediately,” Asif wrote. “Both countries will respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. A follow-up meeting between the delegations is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on October 25 to discuss the matters in detail.”
Mujahid and Asif both thanked Qatar and Turkey for their role in facilitating the talks that led to the ceasefire.
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Associated Press writers Abdul Qahar Afghan in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, and Sajjad Tarakzai in Islamabad contributed to this report.
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