Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an agreement to immediately halt fighting along their shared border. The breakthrough came after long and tense negotiations in Doha, hosted by Qatar and supported by Turkey. Both sides had been engaged in deadly clashes that left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured.
Ceasefire Deal and Formation of Peace Mechanism
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced late Sunday that the two countries agreed to stop hostilities right away and to set up a joint mechanism aimed at maintaining long-term peace. “The understanding aims to reduce tensions and support regional stability,” the ministry said in a statement.
Talks stretched for nearly 13 hours. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and intelligence chief General Azeem Malik led the Pakistani side, while Afghanistan was represented by Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob and the head of the National Intelligence Directorate.
The clashes, which began on October 11, quickly spread across several key border regions — including Spin Boldak, Chaman, Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Kunar, Kandahar, and Helmand.
Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghan territory, which triggered strong retaliation from Taliban forces. Explosions in Kabul during the fighting killed five civilians and injured 35 others.
According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the violence has claimed at least 37 civilian lives and left more than 425 injured. Pakistan reported 23 soldiers killed and seven more in a TTP suicide attack, while Afghan officials said 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed. Pakistan, in turn, claimed that over 200 Afghan fighters died during the clashes.
Hope for Stability and Peace
Qatar expressed hope that this agreement could become a turning point for the region. “The ceasefire is a step toward lasting peace and cooperation,” its Foreign Ministry said.
Observers believe the deal could ease years of mistrust and bring calm to one of the world’s most volatile border areas, long affected by militant activity and political tension.
