In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after intense border clashes along their 2,600-kilometer frontier. The truce was sealed during negotiations in Doha, hosted by Qatar's Foreign Ministry and co-mediated by TĂĽrkiye.
The week-long conflict claimed dozens of lives and wounded hundreds. It erupted when Islamabad accused militants of using Afghan sanctuaries to launch attacks on Pakistani soil. A suicide strike near the border on Friday alone killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured 13 others.
Afghanistan's Taliban leadership has repeatedly denied sheltering militant groups, countering Islamabad's claims and accusing the Pakistani military of misinformation. Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir insisted that the 'Afghan regime must rein in the proxies' operating against Pakistan.
Despite reports of Pakistani airstrikes targeting civilian areas in Afghanistan, Afghan authorities said their fighters held fire to respect the ongoing diplomatic talks. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, however, defended the strikes as targeting verified militant camps that killed over 100 militants during the ceasefire period.
The Doha agreement includes a commitment to hold follow-up meetings to verify and sustain the ceasefire in a 'reliable and sustainable manner.' Observers view this as a critical step toward stabilizing South Asia's most volatile border and preventing further humanitarian fallout.
The success of this truce will depend on transparent communication, third-party verification, and a willingness from both sides to address underlying security concerns. As the global community watches closely, young leaders and peace advocates are calling for inclusive dialogue and long-term solutions.
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Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire after Doha talks
cgtn.com
