Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Immediate Ceasefire After Doha Talks
Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an immediate ceasefire agreement following intense border clashes that killed dozens. The breakthrough came after 13-hour negotiations in Doha mediated by Qatar and Turkey.
Key Takeaways
- Immediate ceasefire agreed after week-long border violence
- Qatar and Turkey mediated 13-hour Doha talks
- Follow-up meetings planned to monitor implementation
- Agreement follows worst clashes since Taliban’s 2021 takeover
Doha Agreement Details
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced both nations agreed to halt all military action and establish mechanisms for lasting peace. “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 confirmed.
The Gulf nation expressed hope this agreement would “end tensions on the border between the two brotherly countries and form a foundation for lasting peace.”
Background to the Conflict
The truce follows days of intense border warfare triggered by Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The strikes reportedly killed 17 people, including three Afghan cricketers, marking some of the worst violence since the Taliban returned to power.
Defence ministers from both countries – Khawaja Muhammad Asif of Pakistan and Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob of Afghanistan – led their delegations in Doha.
Conflicting Claims
Before negotiations, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated it had “no intention to escalate tensions” but demanded Kabul act against terror groups using Afghan soil for attacks inside Pakistan. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir emphasized: “The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan.”
The Taliban strongly denied these allegations. Afghanistan accused Pakistan of spreading misinformation and targeting civilian areas, though Kabul ordered its fighters not to retaliate during talks.
Cricket Diplomacy Impact
The conflict spilled into sports when Afghanistan withdrew from an upcoming T20 tri-series in Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Board cited the deaths of three cricketers in Paktika strikes as the reason.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar countered that airstrikes only targeted “verified militant camps,” dismissing civilian casualty claims and stating over 100 militants were killed in recent operations.
Both nations have committed to continued dialogue in coming days to monitor the ceasefire and prevent further escalation, offering hope for regional stability.
