Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following a week of border violence that claimed dozens of lives. The peace deal was reached in Doha, Qatar, after talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey.

“A round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Doha, mediated by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye. During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the statement said, according to ANI.

Talks in Doha lead to truce: Key Points

  • Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that both nations had agreed to halt all military action and hold meetings to ensure the mediation lasts without violence. The statement said both countries promised to put systems in place to keep things peaceful and stable along their shared border. “Both countries agreed to an immediate ceasefire and will continue to meet in the coming days to make sure it is properly implemented,” Qatar’s statement said. The ministry added that these efforts would “help promote stability and security in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.” The discussions lasted over 13 hours.
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  • “The two parties agreed to hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to make sure the ceasefire is respected and implemented in a reliable way,” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said. It added that the Gulf nation hopes this agreement will “end tensions on the border between the two brotherly countries and form a foundation for lasting peace.”
  • The truce comes after days of intense border war triggered by Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, which reportedly killed 17 people, including three Afghan cricketers.
  • The recent border clashes were some of the worst violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban took power in 2021. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Afghanistan’s Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob led the delegations in Doha.
  • Before the Doha negotiations began, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said it had “no intention to escalate tensions” but asked Kabul to act against terror groups using Afghan soil for attacks inside Pakistan. “Pakistan appreciates Qatar’s mediation efforts and hopes these discussions contribute to regional peace and stability,” the Foreign Office said, according to ANI. The Taliban has strongly denied any such allegations. “The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan,” Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said on Saturday.
  • Afghanistan, in turn, accuses Pakistan of spreading misinformation and carrying out airstrikes targeting civilian areas. Kabul said its fighters had been ordered not to retaliate during the talks but warned that it reserves the right to respond if attacks continue.
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  • Afghanistan earlier announced it would withdraw from an upcoming T20 tri-series in Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Board said the decision comes after the deaths of three cricketers in Pakistan’s recent strikes in Paktika.
  • On the other hand, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed the airstrikes only targeted “verified militant camps” and dismissed claims of civilian casualties. He said over 100 militants were killed in operations over the past week.
  • Both countries have agreed to continue dialogue in the coming days to monitor the ceasefire and prevent further escalation.