Monitoring Desk:
Islamabad/Doha: Pakistan and Afghanistan have mutually agreed to extend the ongoing ceasefire as both sides continue diplomatic efforts to resolve recent border clashes through dialogue and peaceful negotiation.
The announcement comes ahead of the Doha peace talks, scheduled to begin tomorrow in Qatar, where delegations from both countries will meet to discuss a two-point agenda focused on reducing tensions, ensuring border stability, and promoting long-term regional peace.
According to diplomatic sources, the temporary truce — initially announced for 48 hours — has been extended to provide an opportunity for confidence-building measures and constructive dialogue. Mediators in Doha are expected to play a crucial role in facilitating talks and encouraging mutual cooperation between the two neighboring nations.
Earlier today, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are making “sincere efforts” to find a peaceful and lasting solution to what it described as a “complex but solvable issue.” During a weekly briefing, FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the ceasefire period is being utilized for meaningful engagement.
“Pakistan values dialogue, diplomacy, and a mutually beneficial relationship with Afghanistan,” he said. “The Government of Pakistan continues to closely monitor the situation and will take all necessary steps to safeguard its territorial integrity and protect its citizens.”
It may be mentioned that the Afghan Taliban authorities had earlier sought a ceasefire extension following Pakistan’s precision airstrikes on terrorist hideouts inside Afghan territory, sources said. The strikes reportedly targeted groups affiliated with the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) involved in recent cross-border attacks.
The ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire and the upcoming Doha peace dialogue are viewed as significant steps toward regional peace, stability, and counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries.
