Taliban and Pakistan Agree to Immediate Ceasefire in Talks Held in Qatar

Following several days of intense clashes along Afghanistan’s eastern border, the Taliban administration and the government of Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to establish mechanisms to ensure lasting peace and stability. The negotiations took place on Saturday, October 17, in Doha, with mediation by Qatar and Turkey.

In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry said the talks were held to contain tensions between the two neighboring countries. As a result, both parties agreed not only to cease hostilities but also to enhance cooperation through diplomatic channels to resolve disputes.

The Taliban’s acting Defense Minister, Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, and Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, led the respective negotiating delegations. The Taliban administration expressed gratitude to Qatar and Turkey for facilitating the dialogue.

According to the agreement, both sides pledged to refrain from hostile actions against each other and to cease support for groups operating against the Pakistani government. It also states that attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure of either side should not occur.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said a joint mechanism, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, would be set up to monitor the implementation of the agreement and assess any related allegations. Qatar’s foreign ministry expressed hope that this accord would ease border tensions and serve as a foundation for sustainable regional peace.

Though both sides had agreed to a ceasefire since Wednesday, border attacks had continued. A Pakistani air raid on Friday night in Afghanistan’s Paktika province reportedly caused civilian casualties.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister declared that “the chain of terrorism from Afghanistan into Pakistan will stop immediately.” He also announced that the next round of talks will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 25, where further details of the negotiations are expected to be discussed.

While official statements emphasize the ceasefire agreement, past experiences have shown that lack of transparency, failure to target violent groups within Afghanistan, and the Taliban’s ambiguous stance on border issues may challenge the durability of the deal.