Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire after peace talks in Doha, Qatar announces BIG statement, says, ‘Negotiations..’
Afghanistan and Pakistan reached a deal for an immediate ceasefire during negotiations held in Doha, Qatar, the Qatari foreign ministry said early Sunday. This agreement follows a week of escalating border clashes between the two South Asian states, who have now decided to prolong their ceasefire in an effort to de-escalate tensions.
What did Qatar reveal in its official statement after the Doha peace talks?
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this early Sunday morning through an official post on its X (formerly Twitter) account. However, it is still unclear how long the ceasefire will last. This uncertainty follows an airstrike conducted by Pakistan late Friday night in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, even after the ceasefire. The Afghan Taliban condemned the airstrike, stating that the strike was a violation of the ceasefire.
What key terms were included in the ceasefire agreement?
The announcement came in a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday (local time), marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough mediated by Qatar and Turkiye in Doha. As per a statement by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, both sides also committed to holding follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the durability and implementation of the ceasefire and to foster long-term peace and stability between the two neighbouring nations.
What comes next for Pakistan-Afghanistan relations after Doha meet?
“A round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Doha, mediated by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye. During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the statement said.
Furthermore, the statement reads, “The two parties also agreed to hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner, thus contributing to achieving security and stability in both countries.”
The Doha meeting follows a deadly ceasefire violation by Pakistan on Friday in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, killing 17, including three Afghan cricketers.
Earlier on Saturday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed profound grief over the killing of three Afghan cricketers in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province and announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan.In a statement posted on X, the ACB said, “The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” following intense border clashes.
- The Doha meeting follows a deadly ceasefire violation by Pakistan on Friday in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province.
- Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed profound grief over the killing of three Afghan cricketers in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province.
- The board confirmed that the players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon
The board confirmed that the players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were among eight people killed in the airstrike in the Urgun district. Seven others were reportedly injured.
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