Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to resume talks in Qatar to create lasting peace conditions. The decision followed a week of cross-border clashes that killed dozens. Qatari mediators confirmed both sides accepted an immediate ceasefire after meetings in Doha. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced the truce and promised further negotiations to ensure stability. Turkish envoys also played a role in securing the agreement. Both nations plan to meet again soon to maintain peace and prevent new hostilities.
Deadly Exchanges and Rising Hostilities
Violence surged between Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier this month as each blamed the other for aggression. Afghan officials denied sheltering militants accused of attacking Pakistani border regions, a key issue for Islamabad. Since 2021, Pakistan has struggled with increased militancy along its western frontier after the Taliban’s return to power. Fighting has destabilised the region, where groups like Islamic State and al-Qaeda attempt to re-emerge. On Friday, after a 48-hour truce expired, Pakistan launched strikes in Paktika province against Hafiz Gul Bahadur militants. Islamabad claimed the raids killed dozens of fighters and spared civilians. Officials said they retaliated after a suicide bombing hit a security compound in Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Civilian Losses and Diplomatic Fallout
Taliban authorities reported that Pakistani airstrikes killed at least ten civilians, including women, children, and local cricket players. The Afghan cricket board then boycotted an upcoming tournament in Pakistan. The International Cricket Council expressed sorrow over the loss of three young Afghan athletes. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned Pakistan’s “repeated crimes” and violations of Afghan sovereignty. He described the attacks as deliberate provocations meant to extend conflict. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, urged Afghanistan to prioritise mutual security and restrain militant proxies. Both nations’ delegations gathered in Doha for continued dialogue. The two countries share the 2,600-kilometre Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never recognised, calling it a colonial imposition. Kabul insists the 1893 boundary divided Pashtun tribes and demands recognition of the 1947 borders, a dispute that continues to spark clashes and militant uprisings across the frontier.
