Doha: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” following intense border clashes and plan for follow-up talks to ensure its “sustainability”, Qatar announced on Saturday.
The announcement came on Saturday from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighting a major diplomatic breakthrough that was mediated by Qatar and Turkiye in Doha.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said that both sides also agreed to hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to make sure the ceasefire lasts and to work towards long-term peace and stability between the two neighbouring countries.
“A round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Doha, mediated by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye. During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the statement said.
“The two parties also agreed to hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner, thus contributing to achieving security and stability in both countries,” it further added.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed hope that this breakthrough would reduce tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and create a foundation for lasting peace in the region.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar’s hope that this important step will contribute to ending tensions on the border between the two brotherly countries and form a solid foundation for sustainable peace in the region,” the statement concluded.
The Doha meeting follows a deadly ceasefire violation by Pakistan on Friday in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, killing 17, including three Afghan cricketers.
According to Tolo News, the airstrikes hit residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties.
