Pakistan and Afghanistan Agreed to Immediate Cease-Fire in Doha Talks Mediated by Qatar and Turkey
In a significant development, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate cease-fire during peace talks held in Doha, Qatar. The announcement came early on October 19 from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry via X (formerly Twitter).
According to a statement issued by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, “During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate cease-fire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries.” Both nations also committed to holding follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the cease-fire holds and to “verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner.”
The peace talks, which began on October 18 in Doha, were convened amid escalating border clashes and attacks that had raised fears of an all-out war between the neighboring countries.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Taliban-led Afghan government, confirmed via X that the discussions had started and noted that Afghan Prime Minister Hassan Akhund had also engaged in talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif similarly spoke with Anwar, who appears to be acting as a mediator in the process.
Anwar Ibrahim emphasized “the need to resolve the issue through diplomatic means,” Mujahid added.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry outlined the talks’ objectives as aiming to “end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border.” Islamabad has called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s “legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities.”
The recent surge in violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan marks the worst confrontation since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021. The conflict was sparked after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in militant groups accused of stepping up attacks within Pakistan, claiming they operated from safe havens in Afghanistan.
The Taliban government denies harboring militants who target Pakistan and has alleged that the Pakistani military is spreading misinformation about Afghanistan while providing shelter to Islamic State-linked militants. Islamabad has firmly denied these accusations.
The ongoing peace talks, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, offer hope for de-escalation and a sustainable resolution to the border tensions between the two countries.
*With reporting by Reuters and AFP.*
https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghanistan-cease-fire-qatar-talks-taliban/33563572.html
