Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to continue peace talks in Qatar to build lasting stability. The decision followed a deadly week of cross-border fighting that killed dozens. Both nations accepted a ceasefire after Qatari mediation in Doha, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. Turkish negotiators also helped secure the agreement. The two governments promised to create mechanisms that strengthen the truce and maintain long-term peace. They plan to meet again soon to confirm the ceasefire’s durability.
Escalation Along the Border
Violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan surged earlier this month. Each side accused the other of initiating aggression. Afghanistan denied claims that it shelters militants who attack border areas, a major concern for Islamabad. Pakistan has battled rising militancy near its western frontier since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power. The renewed conflict has shaken regional stability as groups like al-Qaeda and Islamic State attempt to re-emerge.
Civilian Deaths and Political Fallout
On Friday, hours after a 48-hour truce expired, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Paktika province. Officials said the strikes targeted militants from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and killed no civilians. They described the action as retaliation for a suicide attack in Mir Ali a day earlier. Taliban officials reported a different account, claiming at least ten civilians, including women, children, and local cricket players, died in the strikes. The Afghan cricket board responded by boycotting an upcoming tournament in Pakistan. The International Cricket Council expressed grief over the deaths of the young players.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman, condemned what he called repeated violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. He described the attacks as deliberate attempts to prolong conflict. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, urged Afghan leaders to prioritise security and peace over extremism. He demanded that the Taliban control armed groups operating from Afghan territory.
The two countries share a 2,600-kilometre border known as the Durand Line. Afghanistan refuses to recognise it, arguing that colonial powers imposed it in 1893, dividing Pashtun tribes across both sides. Kabul instead recognises the 1947 borders, which claim sections of Pakistani territory. This dispute has fueled decades of cross-border clashes driven by territorial and tribal tensions.
