Salaam - What we know about the Pakistan–Afghanistan ceasefire and whether it might last
Assalamu alaikum - Islamabad and Kabul have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after a week of deadly clashes along their shared border, with mediation from Qatar and Turkiye. But given the deep mistrust between the neighbours, will this calm hold?
Both sides pledged to stop hostilities and work toward lasting peace and stability following talks in Doha, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. They also agreed to set up mechanisms to make the ceasefire durable and to meet again soon to verify implementation.
Pakistan’s defence minister confirmed the agreement, saying cross-border terrorism from Afghan territory will end immediately and both countries will respect each other’s sovereignty. A follow-up meeting was scheduled in Istanbul to discuss details.
Pakistan’s leaders called the truce a first step, saying they expect a concrete, verifiable monitoring mechanism to prevent more loss of life. The Taliban’s spokesperson similarly stressed commitment to peace, mutual respect, and resolving disputes through dialogue, and said Afghan soil will not be used against other countries.
Background: Dozens have been killed and hundreds injured in the worst violence along the 2,600km border in years. The clashes began after Pakistan said it carried out strikes targeting armed groups it says are linked to attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan has long accused armed groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and others, of using safe havens across the border to launch attacks, while Kabul has denied offering sanctuary.
Much of the violence has hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Local think tanks report a sharp rise in deaths this year, and analysts warn the rise in attacks has made relations between Islamabad and Kabul far worse than before the Taliban returned to power.
Key issues that remain:
- Pakistan wants guarantees that the TTP and similar groups will not be allowed to regroup or carry out attacks from Afghan soil.
- Afghanistan insists it does not support attacks on Pakistan and says it will not permit its territory to be used against another country.
- The Durand Line border dispute and mutual suspicions make trust difficult.
Analysts note problems on both sides. Some question whether recent strikes actually hit militant operatives or mostly harmed civilians, and whether the Taliban can fully control independent groups like the TTP. Others point out that long military campaigns rarely produce clear winners and that bombing alone hasn’t solved the problem in past decades.
What might happen next: Follow-up meetings and a monitoring mechanism will be crucial. If both governments and local actors truly commit to dialogue and verification, the ceasefire could reduce killings and open space for longer-term solutions. But without trust-building and real action to curb armed groups, the truce may be fragile.
May Allah grant safety and stability to the people affected, and guide leaders to just and lasting solutions. Please keep those harmed by the fighting in your du'as.
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