Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached an immediate ceasefire agreement, as announced by Qatar’s foreign ministry on Sunday. The ceasefire comes after a week of intense fighting resulting in numerous casualties on both sides.
According to a statement from Qatar, the two countries have agreed to establish mechanisms to ensure lasting peace and stability. They will also engage in further discussions in the upcoming days to maintain the sustainability of the ceasefire. Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan were in Doha for talks aimed at resolving the deadliest crisis between the two nations in several years, following the recent violence that claimed many lives and left hundreds injured.
The negotiations were facilitated by Qatar and Turkey. Defense ministers from both countries led the talks, with a focus on immediate actions to halt cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the border, as stated by Pakistan.
Despite each country claiming to be responding to aggression from the other, Afghanistan denies providing shelter to militants conducting attacks in border regions. Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have urged for calm to prevent further destabilization in an area where groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaida are attempting to reemerge.
After a 48-hour ceasefire expired on Friday evening, Pakistan conducted strikes across the border, targeting hideouts of the militant Hafiz Gul Bahadur group in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. Pakistani security officials confirmed the strikes, which were in response to a previous suicide bombing in Pakistan.
Afghan officials reported civilian casualties from the Pakistani airstrikes, including women, children, and local cricket players. The attacks led to the Afghan national cricket board boycotting an upcoming series in Pakistan. Thousands of people gathered for funeral prayers in Paktika in response to the civilian deaths.
The Taliban government’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, condemned the actions of Pakistani forces, labeling them as repeated violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and attempts to prolong the conflict. The border between the two countries, known as the Durand Line, has never been recognized by Afghanistan.
Pakistan is facing a rise in militancy along its border with Afghanistan and accuses India of supporting armed groups without evidence. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, called on Afghans to prioritize mutual security and progress over violence and extremism. He also urged the Taliban to control groups with sanctuaries in Afghanistan during an address at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.