Assalamualaikum - Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Keep Ceasefire After Talks in Istanbul
Assalamualaikum - hope everyone is well. Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to continue a ceasefire after fresh peace talks held in Istanbul, Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. The talks had earlier broken down this week, but both sides returned to the table with help from Turkiye and Qatar.
According to a joint statement issued on behalf of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the mediators, the parties will meet again in Istanbul on Nov. 6 at a higher level to work out the details of how the ceasefire will be carried out. They also agreed to set up a monitoring and verification system to help keep the peace and to impose penalties if any side violates the agreement.
The negotiations were meant to ease border tensions after exchanges of fire earlier this month that killed soldiers, civilians and militants. Even though the earlier talks collapsed, the ceasefire has mostly held and no new clashes were reported this week. Still, major border crossings remain closed, leaving many trucks with goods and people seeking safety stuck on both sides.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister said Islamabad agreed to try peace again after requests from Qatar and Turkiye, and the Pakistani delegation stayed in Istanbul for the follow-up. Pakistan insists the talks must include clear, verifiable, and effective action by Afghanistan against militant groups operating from its soil.
Pakistani officials reiterated that Afghan territory should not be used to carry out attacks against Pakistan, and they praised the helpful role of the mediators while saying they remain committed to a sincere, peaceful solution.
Tensions rose earlier this month after explosions in Kabul and accusations that Pakistan had conducted airstrikes and bombings. Both sides reported casualties from the clashes and blamed each other - Pakistan saying it was targeting militant hideouts, and Afghan authorities saying they struck back at Pakistani military posts.
Qatar hosted emergency talks that led to a ceasefire on Oct. 19, followed by several days of talks in Istanbul that ended without a full agreement. Qatar and Turkiye then worked to bring both delegations back to continue negotiations.
Pakistan’s army chief recently told local elders that Pakistan wants peace with all neighbors, including Afghanistan, but will not accept cross-border terrorism. He said Pakistan had shown restraint and tried to improve ties, while accusing the Taliban government of supporting the TTP, a group listed as terrorist by some countries.
There have been a rise in militant attacks in Pakistan in recent months, many claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, and Pakistani forces say many militants are sheltering across the border in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s military also reported recent operations in which militants were killed in Balochistan and along the border area.
May Allah guide the leaders to a just and lasting peace, protect the innocent, and make these talks successful for the safety and welfare of the people in both countries. Ameen.
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