Ceasefire Reached as Pakistan and Taliban End Hostilities After Deadly Clashes

Mon Oct 20 2025 02:41:09 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following a week of intense fighting, Pakistan and the Taliban have agreed to a ceasefire, with both parties set to take steps toward lasting peace.

An immediate ceasefire has been agreed upon by Pakistan and the Taliban government of Afghanistan after over a week of deadly clashes, mediated by Qatar and Turkey. Both sides aim to establish mechanisms for peace, while accusations of harboring militant groups continue to complicate relations.

Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after more than a week of deadly fighting.

The foreign ministry of Qatar, which mediated talks alongside Turkey, stated that both sides had agreed to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability.

Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, emphasized the importance of ending hostile actions, while Pakistan's foreign minister regarded the agreement as the first step in the right direction.

Both nations claim to have inflicted heavy casualties during the clashes, marking the worst fighting since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Islamabad has previously accused the Taliban of sheltering armed groups that launch attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban disputes.

The fighting escalated along the 1,600-mile border after accusations that Pakistan was behind attacks on the Afghan capital.

Rumors circulated regarding blasts in Kabul, speculated to target Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistan Taliban, who subsequently claimed he was still alive.

Following Afghan troops' fire on Pakistani border posts, Pakistan retaliated with mortar strikes and drone attacks.

At least thirty Afghan civilians have reportedly been killed and hundreds more injured, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

A temporary truce was declared on Wednesday during meetings in Doha, but cross-border strikes persisted.

The Taliban accused Pakistan of conducting an airstrike that killed eight, including three local cricket players.

The new agreement dictates that the Taliban will not support groups attacking the Pakistani government, and both sides will refrain from targeting each other’s security forces, civilian populations, or critical infrastructure.

Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, stated that the ceasefire should immediately halt terrorism originating from Afghanistan towards Pakistan.

As negotiations continue, further discussions are scheduled in Istanbul next week. Pakistan has previously supported the Taliban after its ousting in 2001, but relations soured over the Taliban's alleged harboring of anti-Pakistan militants.

Over the past year, the Pakistan Taliban has conducted approximately 600 attacks on Pakistani forces.

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