Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to hold follow-up meetings in Qatar to set conditions for permanent peace. They aim to end a week of deadly border clashes that killed dozens. Qatari officials confirmed that both nations accepted an immediate ceasefire after talks with mediators in Doha.
The truce ended the most violent confrontation between the neighbours in years, which left hundreds injured. Both sides promised to create mechanisms to strengthen long-term peace and stability. They will continue negotiations in the coming days to maintain the ceasefire. Turkish diplomats also played a role in brokering the deal.
Rising Tensions and Regional Unrest
Violence escalated this month as both nations blamed each other for aggression. Afghanistan rejected Pakistan’s claims that it shelters militants who attack border areas. Pakistan continues to face a sharp increase in militancy in its western provinces since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.
The renewed fighting threatens the region’s fragile stability, where groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda seek to regroup. Hours after a 48-hour truce expired on Friday, Pakistan launched cross-border strikes in Paktika, targeting militants from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction. Officials in Islamabad said the strikes eliminated dozens of fighters and spared civilians.
Afghan officials, however, reported that the air raids killed at least ten civilians, including women, children, and local cricket players. The incident led Afghanistan’s cricket board to boycott a planned tournament in Pakistan. The International Cricket Council expressed sorrow over the deaths of three young Afghan athletes.
Diplomatic Reactions and Border Disputes
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned Pakistan’s actions as violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. He accused Pakistan of committing repeated crimes to prolong the conflict. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, urged Afghanistan to prioritise shared security and progress over continued hostility. He demanded that the Taliban restrain militant proxies operating from Afghan soil.
Delegations from both nations gathered in Doha for high-level peace discussions on Saturday. The two countries share a 2,600-kilometre boundary known as the Durand Line. Afghanistan refuses to recognise it, calling it a colonial-era boundary imposed in 1893 that divides Pashtun tribes.
Kabul instead acknowledges the 1947 borders, which challenge Pakistan’s territorial claims. This dispute has fuelled decades of clashes and militant-led skirmishes over control of contested areas. Both governments now seek a path to end these cycles of violence through renewed dialogue.
