agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan for an immediate ceasefire following talks in Doha:
Summary: After repeated and fierce border fighting, Afghanistan and Pakistan have announced an immediate ceasefire following talks in Doha, Qatar. The two nations also pledged to working toward a lasting mechanism to monitor and enforce peace along their shared border. The breakthroagreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan for an immediate ceasefire following talks in Doha:
In mid‑October 2025, Afghanistan and Pakistan reached a breakthrough: after days of intense border fighting, the two neighbours agreed to an immediate ceasefire during mediation talks in Doha, Qatar. The talks were facilitated by both Qatar and Türkiye, signalling a regional push to calm a dangerous escalation. Anadolu Ajansı+3Al Jazeera+3Dawn+3
Background & Escalation
The agreement followed a week of sharp clashes along the approximately 2,600 km disputed frontier (commonly referred to as the Durand Line). Pakistan had accused Afghanistan of harbouring militant groups — especially the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — used to launch cross‑border attacks. mint+2Khaleej Times+2 Simultaneously, Afghanistan denied these assertions and accused Pakistan of conducting air‑strikes and violating its sovereignty. mint A suicide bombing near the border that killed several Pakistani soldiers further raised tensions. mint
Key Elements of the Agreement
During the Doha negotiations, both Pakistan and Afghanistan committed to:
- An immediate halt to hostile actions between them, explicitly agreeing that neither would support groups carrying out attacks against the other. Dawn+1
- Respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “terrorism from Afghanistan on Pakistani soil will cease immediately” and “both neighbouring countries will respect each other’s territory”. Khaleej Times+1
- Commitment to follow‑up meetings and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to track implementation and ensure the ceasefire remains sustainable. Delegations were scheduled to meet in Istanbul on 25 October to flesh out details. Dawn+1
- Agreement that neither side would target civilians, security forces or critical infrastructure of the other. According to Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the deal insists that “neither country will undertake any hostile actions against the other, nor will they support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan”. Arab News+1
Mediation & Formalities
The mediation by Qatar and Türkiye proved pivotal — the Qatari Foreign Ministry’s statement confirmed the ceasefire and the plans for mechanisms aimed at verifying its durability. Anadolu Ajansı The talks lasted some 13 hours, according to state media in Pakistan. Dawn
Challenges Ahead
Despite the formal agreement, important underlying issues remain unresolved:
- Pakistan has emphasised that the ceasefire’s durability hinges on the Taliban‑led Afghan government being able to rein in militant groups operating from Afghan soil. Defence Minister Asif warned any new incursions would be violations. Reuters+1
- Afghanistan has alleged that Pakistani air‑strikes continued even as the ceasefire was announced — for example in Paktika province — and that civilians (including local cricketers) were among casualties. This raises concerns about how both sides interpret the terms and whether the truce will hold in practice. Reuters+1
- The lack of a fully public, detailed joint declaration leaves room for differing interpretations of what the agreement covers and how to enforce it. Monitoring mechanisms still need to be defined in detail. Politico
Why It Matters
This ceasefire is significant for several reasons:
- It marks one of the most serious escalations between Afghanistan and Pakistan since the Taliban regained power in 2021, with dozens killed and hundreds wounded. AP News+1
- For Pakistan, the deal addresses long‑standing complaints about militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan, a cornerstone of Islamabad’s security strategy.
- For Afghanistan, the agreement offers a chance to reduce border hostilities, strengthen ties regionally, and reduce external military pressure from Pakistan.
- Regionally, stabilising the border has important implications for refugee flows, trade (including through key crossings like Chaman and Torkham), and the broader peace and connectivity of South Asia. Politico
Outlook
While the immediate cessation of fighting is a hopeful sign, the real test lies ahead: will both sides honour the terms, establish functioning monitoring mechanisms, and build trust. The follow‑up meeting in Istanbul and the mediators’ role in supervision will be vital. If any violation—especially by militants crossing from Afghanistan or strikes by Pakistan—is perceived as legitimate, the ceasefire could unravel. Still, for now, the Doha talks have opened a new chapter in a fraught relationship, offering a window for de‑escalation and dialogue.
