Pakistan-Afghanistan Agree on Ceasefire, Decision Reached in Qatar

Peace Talk Between Pakistan & Afghanistan: The Taliban government had said on Saturday that the Afghan delegation included the defense minister and the head of the national intelligence agency. Both countries say that they are responding to each other's aggression. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists carrying out attacks in the border areas, although the Taliban has rejected this allegation.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced early today that Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed on a ceasefire during talks held in Doha, Qatar. The purpose of this conversation being mediated by Turkey is to end the fierce border conflict that has been going on for a week. Dozens of people were killed, and hundreds were injured in this conflict.

This discussion has taken place after dozens of people were killed in the fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is the worst confrontation between the two neighbors since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Afghan officials confirmed that a Kabul delegation led by Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob participated in the Doha talks, while Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif led discussions with Taliban representatives.

What is Pakistan's allegation?

Pakistan's Foreign Office said the talks focused on immediate measures from Afghanistan to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan and to restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border. The violence began when Islamabad demanded Afghanistan rein in terrorists who were carrying out attacks from across the border in Pakistan.

Accused of supporting Islamic State

The Taliban denied harboring terrorists and accused Pakistan of spreading misinformation to destabilize Afghanistan and supporting Islamic State-linked groups. Islamabad rejected these allegations, saying that terrorists have been waging a long-term campaign to overthrow the Pakistani government and impose strict Islamic rule.

Taliban government counterattacks

The Taliban government had said on Saturday that the Afghan delegation included the defense minister and the head of the national intelligence agency. At the same time, a day earlier Pakistan had said that the Pakistani delegation would leave for Doha on Saturday. However, he did not give any further details.

Both countries say that they are responding to each other's aggression. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists carrying out attacks in the border areas, although the Taliban has rejected this allegation.