Taliban and Pakistan Announce Temporary Ceasefire Amid Eid al-Fitr, Mediated by Regional Powers
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, announced that the group will temporarily halt its attacks against Pakistan in observance of Eid al-Fitr and at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. He described this decision as stemming from the “goodwill of the mediating countries.”
Mujahid stated on Wednesday evening (March 17) that the Taliban administration considers preserving Afghanistan’s national security and safeguarding citizens’ lives as a “national and religious duty” and vowed to respond to any threats. These remarks come amid heightened security tensions between the two sides in recent weeks.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting had earlier declared that Pakistan would also temporarily suspend its attacks against what it called “terrorists and their supporting infrastructure in Afghanistan,” during Eid al-Fitr and at the request of the same three countries.
Experts believe that mediation by regional countries can help reduce tensions. However, the sustainability of such ceasefires depends on practical measures to curb insecurity along the border between the two countries—a matter that has consistently faced criticism from observers and is seen as requiring greater transparency and accountability from the Taliban administration.
