Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to ceasefire,says Qatar

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire during peace talks hosted in Qatar’s Doha, the Qatari foreign ministry announced early Sunday. The negotiations, also mediated by Turkey, aim to end a week of intense border clashes that killed dozens and wounded hundreds. According to Qatar’s statement, both sides 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”. Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan were in Doha for talks to resolve the deadliest crisis between them in several years. The talks were mediated by Qatar and Turkey.

Both governments had sent their defence ministers to lead the talks, which Pakistan said would focus on “immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the border.” Afghan officials confirmed that a Kabul delegation led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob participated in the Doha talks, while Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif led discussions with Taliban representatives.
Each country has said it was responding to aggression from the other. Afghanistan denies harbouring terrorists who carry out attacks in border areas. The Doha-mediated ceasefire marks a critical step toward easing tensions and establishing long-term stability along the 2,600-km Pakistan-Afghanistan border.