Islamabad says fragile truce depends on Kabul taking action, says peace talks extended
Assalamu alaikum - Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend a ceasefire after recent talks in Istanbul, but Islamabad says the truce will only hold if Kabul takes real action against militants based on its soil.
Officials said the talks, hosted with help from Türkiye and other friendly states, aimed to calm the worst border clashes in years that left soldiers, civilians and fighters dead. A temporary ceasefire began on Oct. 19, and a second round of negotiations that started Oct. 25 in Istanbul led to an agreement to keep the truce going.
The clashes followed Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting militants Islamabad says carried out attacks on its forces. Kabul condemned the strikes as a breach of sovereignty and denies harbouring those militants. The long porous border has often been a flashpoint, with frequent clashes and mutual accusations.
Pakistan’s information minister described the Istanbul outcome as a win for Pakistan and said the Afghan side must now take concrete steps against militant groups. He said there would be a mechanism for monitoring, verification and enforcement if violations occur, and he thanked Qatar and Türkiye for mediating.
Türkiye’s foreign ministry said all parties agreed to set up a monitoring and verification system to help maintain peace and impose penalties on any party that breaks the agreement. It added a follow-up meeting would be held in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to work out how the mechanism will operate, and that Türkiye and Qatar remain ready to support both sides for lasting stability.
A spokesman for Kabul also confirmed the talks had concluded and said both sides agreed to continue discussions in future meetings.
A senior Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Islamabad welcomed the Istanbul understanding but stressed the ceasefire is conditional. The official said the test for keeping the truce is clear: Afghanistan must prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks against Pakistan and must take verifiable, effective steps against militants.
Pakistan expects to see credible evidence - for example, dismantled hideouts, disrupted logistics networks, or prosecution of militant leaders - reported through the agreed monitoring mechanism. The official warned that if Afghanistan does not provide verifiable proof of steps taken, or if militants keep attacking from Afghan soil, Pakistan will consider the ceasefire breached and reserves the right to protect its sovereignty and people.
Officials said Pakistan entered the process in good faith but with realism, calling the arrangement a conditional truce that depends on demonstrable action from the Afghan side. If those obligations aren’t met, Pakistan said it may return to other measures.
May Allah grant both nations wisdom and a peaceful, lasting resolution.
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