Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after more than a week of deadly fighting that has killed dozens of people and injured hundreds, according to an announcement by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry following talks in Doha.
The truce was reached after “intensive peace negotiations in Doha,” Qatar said, with Turkey joining Qatar in mediating the discussions. The agreement aims to halt a sharp escalation in hostilities that had persisted for days along the frontier between the two neighbors, straining regional stability.
Ceasefire announced after Doha talks
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the parties agreed to an “immediate ceasefire,” following back-to-back diplomatic engagements in the Qatari capital. The announcement, reported by Reuters and the Associated Press, came after a week marked by repeated clashes that resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
While specific terms were not disclosed, the ceasefire is intended to stop further bloodshed and create space for continued dialogue. No timeline was immediately provided for follow-up meetings.
Qatar and Turkey mediate
Qatar led the mediation and was joined by Turkey, which supported efforts to bring the sides to the table. Doha has served as a venue for sensitive regional diplomacy, and officials there facilitated contact between Pakistani representatives and Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to de-escalate the crisis.
Both mediators urged restraint and underscored the need for immediate de-escalation. The Foreign Ministry of Qatar characterized the Doha talks as “intensive,” a sign of the urgency with which regional actors sought to halt the fighting.
Casualties and duration
The clashes had raged for more than a week, leaving “dozens” dead and “hundreds” wounded, Qatar’s announcement and subsequent reporting by international news agencies indicated. Precise figures have not been formally released by either side. The spike in violence triggered concerns over further instability in the region and raised alarm among humanitarian groups monitoring conditions for civilians in affected areas.
Authorities in both countries did not immediately issue detailed public statements on the ground situation following the truce, but the ceasefire is expected to reduce tensions and lower the risk of additional casualties.
Regional implications
The agreement marks a critical step toward easing a sudden and dangerous flare-up between Pakistan and Afghanistan. An immediate halt to hostilities could help calm fears of a broader escalation and provide a foundation for additional talks addressing underlying points of friction between the neighbors.
Diplomats familiar with the Doha meetings described the outcome as a necessary first move to de-escalate, emphasizing that sustaining the ceasefire will require restraint and ongoing communication channels. Qatar’s role, along with Turkey’s involvement, reflects a broader push by regional stakeholders to contain conflict and maintain stability.
What comes next
As the truce takes effect, attention will shift to how both sides implement and maintain the agreement in the coming days. Further diplomatic engagement is likely as mediators seek to consolidate the pause in fighting and encourage confidence-building steps.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry did not specify monitoring mechanisms for the ceasefire, and no additional details were immediately available on whether joint committees or third-party observers would be involved. However, the announcement signals a shared intent to prevent a renewed spiral of violence and to keep channels open for dialogue.
The situation remains fluid, and officials in Islamabad and Kabul are expected to provide updates as the ceasefire is observed. For now, the agreement offers a window to reduce tensions after a week of deadly clashes, with regional mediators urging both sides to adhere to the “immediate ceasefire” and pursue a diplomatic path forward.