After more than a week of deadly fighting along their shared border, Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government have agreed to an “immediate ceasefire.” The announcement came following intensive mediation by Qatar and Turkey, who facilitated talks aimed at establishing “mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability,” according to the Qatari foreign ministry.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, emphasised that ending “hostile actions” was essential, while Pakistan’s foreign minister described the agreement as “the first step in the right direction.” The truce marks a significant development following the worst fighting between the two sides since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Clashes Along the Border
The fighting erupted along the 1,600-mile mountainous border separating Afghanistan and Pakistan. Tensions escalated after the Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out attacks in Kabul, including explosions rumored to target Noor Wali Mehsud, leader of the Pakistan Taliban. Mehsud later released an unverified voice note confirming he was alive, as Afghan troops responded to alleged Pakistani aggression with cross-border fire.
Pakistan retaliated with mortar fire and drone strikes, intensifying the clashes. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported at least 17 Afghan civilian deaths and hundreds more wounded over the course of the conflict. Despite a temporary truce declared on Wednesday night, sporadic cross-border strikes continued until the formal ceasefire was signed.
Terms of the Ceasefire
Under the new agreement, the Taliban pledged not to support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan. Both sides also agreed to refrain from targeting each other’s security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif hailed the agreement, stating that “terrorism from Afghanistan on Pakistan’s soil will be stopped immediately.”
The deal sets the stage for further diplomatic engagement, with both sides scheduled to meet in Istanbul next week to discuss long-term solutions for border security and conflict prevention.
A Complex Relationship
Pakistan has historically backed the Taliban, particularly after the US-led invasion ousted them in 2001. However, relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated in recent years, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban of providing a safe haven to the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), an armed insurgent group targeting Pakistani government forces.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, the Pakistan Taliban carried out at least 600 attacks on Pakistani forces over the past year alone. Islamabad has consistently demanded that the Taliban curb support for these insurgents, a point central to recent negotiations.
Looking Ahead
While the ceasefire is a promising development, analysts caution that the peace remains fragile. Past agreements have faltered amid mutual distrust and ongoing militant activity. The coming talks in Istanbul are expected to focus on concrete measures to enforce the truce and prevent further escalation along the porous border.
For civilians living in the affected regions, the ceasefire offers a moment of relief, with hopes that sustained dialogue and cooperation can prevent a repeat of recent violence. Both Islamabad and Kabul now face the challenge of translating this fragile truce into lasting stability for their border communities.
