Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire after week of fighting
What's the story
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after more than a week of intense fighting. The Qatari Foreign Ministry announced the development on Sunday, stating that both sides also agreed to establish mechanisms for lasting peace and stability. The decision was reached during talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, which were attended by the defense ministers of both countries.
Escalating violence
Fighting left dozens dead, hundreds injured
The ceasefire comes after a week of fighting that left dozens dead and hundreds injured on both sides. The violence has drawn international attention, with regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Qatar calling for calm amid the Islamic State and al Qaeda groups trying to resurface. The conflict has been the deadliest crisis between Pakistan and Afghanistan in several years. Each country has said it was responding to aggression from the other.
Peace efforts
Follow-up talks to be held in coming days
The Qatari statement said both sides agreed to hold follow-up talks in the coming days to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire. The focus of these talks will be on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism and restore peace along the border. Afghanistan has denied harboring militants who carry out attacks in border areas, a point of contention between the two countries.
Recent attacks
Airstrikes in Paktika
On Saturday, hours after a 48-hour ceasefire expired, Pakistani security officials confirmed to the Associated Press that there were strikes on two districts in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province. The targets were the hideouts of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, according to the anonymous officials who were quoted. However, Afghan officials said the aerial assaults killed at least 10 civilians, including women, children, and local cricketers. The attacks prompted the national cricket board to boycott an upcoming series in Pakistan.
Security appeal
Army chief's call for peace
Pakistan's Army chief, General Asim Munir, has called on Afghans to choose "mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hardline obscurantism." He said the Taliban must control proxies with sanctuaries in Afghanistan. The two countries share a 2,611-kilometer border known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan does not recognize.