Taliban Denies Secret Clauses in Ceasefire Agreement with Pakistan

The Taliban has rejected claims made by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif that parts of a ceasefire agreement between Islamabad and the Taliban remain confidential. In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 21, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense dismissed Asif’s remarks as baseless, insisting that all terms of the agreement had been publicly disclosed during a recent press conference.

According to the Taliban, the agreement includes a cessation of hostilities, a pledge to refrain from attacking military personnel and facilities of the opposing side, mutual respect, a commitment to dialogue for resolving conflicts, and a promise not to support any acts of violence. However, Pakistan’s defense minister had earlier refused to disclose the full details of the agreement, describing its contents as “classified.”

In its statement, the Taliban stressed that there are no secret clauses in the agreement and declared that any interpretations beyond the officially announced terms should be considered “invalid.” The ceasefire deal was signed in Doha earlier last week following deadly clashes between Taliban fighters and the Pakistani army.

The emphasis on the transparency of the agreement comes amid growing public distrust toward the Taliban’s openness. Despite repeated claims of dialogue and negotiation, the group has often been criticized for a lack of transparency in its external engagements—an ambiguity further compounded by Islamabad’s silence.