Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Extend Ceasefire After Istanbul Talks

ISTANBUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to continue the ceasefire following recent tensions and deadly skirmishes along their shared border, marking a crucial step toward restoring stability between the two neighbors.

The breakthrough came after intensive negotiations between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations in Istanbul, where Türkiye and Qatar served as mediators. The talks, which began last Saturday, faced several hurdles over Islamabad’s long-standing concern about cross-border terror attacks originating from Afghan soil.

Agreement on Ceasefire and Monitoring Mechanism

A joint statement released by Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that both sides agreed to extend the ceasefire and establish a “monitoring and verification mechanism” to ensure its implementation.

“All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure the maintenance of peace and impose penalties on any violating party,” the statement said.

Further discussions on the implementation details will take place during a Principal-level meeting scheduled for November 6 in Istanbul.

Türkiye and Qatar expressed appreciation for the “active contribution of both parties” and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting efforts for lasting peace and stability in the region.

Background: Rising Border Tensions

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan deteriorated earlier this month after an attack on Pakistani territory from across the border on October 11. The incident came amid accusations from the Afghan Taliban that Pakistan had carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan—claims Islamabad neither confirmed nor denied.

Pakistan has consistently urged the Taliban government to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil to launch attacks, a demand Kabul has repeatedly rejected. In response to cross-border assaults, Pakistan conducted targeted strikes on the Gul Bahadur group’s camps in Afghanistan.

Path to Dialogue

Following a series of border clashes, initial talks were held in Doha, where both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire and planned to resume discussions in Istanbul for a long-term peace framework.

The latest Istanbul dialogue, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, initially appeared to hit an impasse earlier this week. Pakistani officials, including Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, had expressed frustration over the lack of progress. However, renewed diplomatic efforts late Thursday helped bring both parties back to the table, leading to the extension of the ceasefire.

Moving Toward Lasting Peace

Both countries have now signaled their intent to reduce hostilities and prevent future cross-border conflicts. Analysts believe the newly agreed monitoring mechanism could help restore trust—if implemented effectively.

As the next round of high-level talks approaches, regional mediators remain hopeful that Islamabad and Kabul will continue working toward a permanent peace agreement that ensures security, stability, and cooperation along one of the world’s most volatile borders.