Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to ceasefire in Qatar

Afghanistan and Pakistan have mutually agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire, announced on Sunday following bilateral talks in Qatar. The agreement, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, marks a significant step toward easing tensions between the neighboring countries.

The spokesperson of Afghanistan, sharing the details on X, expressed gratitude to Qatar and Turkiye for their “instrumental role” in facilitating the negotiations. Under the terms of the agreement, neither country will undertake hostile actions against the other, nor support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan. Both nations have committed to refraining from targeting security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure.

The spokesperson emphasized, “…Under the terms of the agreement, both sides reaffirm their commitment to peace, mutual respect, and the maintenance of strong and constructive neighborly relations. Both sides are committed to resolving issues and disputes through dialogue. A comprehensive and meaningful ceasefire has been mutually agreed upon. It has been decided that neither country will undertake any hostile actions against the other, nor will they support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan. Both sides will refrain from targeting each other's security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure.”

To ensure effective implementation and review of bilateral claims, a mechanism will be established under the mediation of intermediary countries. Both sides have also committed to follow-up meetings to ensure the durability and proper implementation of the ceasefire, fostering long-term peace and stability.

The Doha talks follow a deadly ceasefire violation on Friday, when Pakistani airstrikes hit Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, killing 17 people, including three Afghan cricketers. According to Tolo News, the airstrikes targeted residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties. Prior to the ceasefire, Pakistan reportedly breached Afghan airspace 710 times, highlighting the severity of tensions along the border.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, issued fresh nuclear threats against India, stating: _“Afghanistan is acting as India’s proxy. Our expanding military capabilities can shatter the misconceived immunity of India’s geographical warspace.”_ His statements underline Islamabad’s continued anti-India posture even as it carried out attacks on Afghan civilians.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif declared, _“We will not tolerate any attempts to undermine Pakistan’s security. Any actions by Afghanistan that aid Indian interests will be met with decisive measures.”_ These statements come amid ongoing concerns about regional stability and the escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.