Saturday, March 29, 2025
Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Ceasefire After Airstrikes; Next Peace Talks to Be Held in Istanbul
After days of high tension and intense diplomacy, Pakistan and Afghanistan have finally agreed to a temporary ceasefire following deadly airstrikes that had pushed both nations to the brink of open war. The breakthrough came after extensive negotiations in Doha, Qatar, with Turkey and Qatar acting as mediators.
The conflict escalated sharply earlier this week when Pakistan carried out multiple airstrikes in and around Kabul, as Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was on an official visit to India. One of the strikes reportedly killed at least 10 Afghan civilians, including three national-level cricketers, drawing widespread condemnation from Kabul.
A brief 48-hour ceasefire had initially been arranged, but Pakistan allegedly violated it with another round of bombings. The renewed agreement now aims to prevent further hostilities and restore diplomatic dialogue between the two sides.
According to officials, the next round of formal talks will be held in Istanbul on October 25, 2025. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the date after returning from the Doha talks, emphasizing that both countries must respect each other’s sovereignty.
“Terrorist attacks from Afghan soil on Pakistani territory must end immediately. Both sides have agreed to honor each other’s sovereignty,” Asif said. The Pakistani delegation also included ISI Chief General Aseem Malik, while Afghanistan was represented by Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob.
Qatar’s Foreign Minister said that achieving this ceasefire was crucial to “maintaining peace and goodwill between the two nations.” Both Turkey and Qatar have been working behind the scenes to defuse the escalating military standoff, which had threatened regional stability.
Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan of harboring and supporting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claiming that many terror plots against Pakistan originate from Afghan territory. Kabul has strongly denied these allegations, insisting that the Taliban government has actively fought ISIS, which, according to Afghan officials, had received safe haven in parts of Pakistan.
A senior Taliban official, speaking before the talks, confirmed that Pakistan had bombed three locations in Paktika Province, killing several civilians. However, he added that the border situation is now under control and both sides are working to avoid further escalation.
While the ceasefire offers a temporary reprieve from violence, analysts warn that deep mistrust remains. The upcoming Istanbul talks are expected to determine whether this truce can evolve into a lasting peace agreement or collapse under mutual suspicion.
