Pakistan and Afghanistan Extend Ceasefire Amid Border Tensions

Pakistan and Afghanistan have extended their ceasefire after deadly border clashes, with a follow-up meeting on November 6 to enforce it. The border remains closed, disrupting trade, amid ongoing tensions over militant attacks.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Thursday to extend their ceasefire following a series of peace talks in Istanbul, coming after the deadliest border clashes between the two countries in recent years. The decision to prolong the ceasefire reflects a renewed effort to stabilize relations, as both nations face ongoing security challenges along their shared 2,600-kilometre border.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that a follow-up round of negotiations will take place in Istanbul next week. Officials from both countries are scheduled to reconvene on November 6 to finalize a monitoring mechanism designed to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and to impose penalties on any party that violates the terms. This mechanism is seen as a crucial step in preventing future escalations and maintaining long-term stability along the volatile frontier.

The peace talks, which were mediated by Turkey and Qatar, had encountered difficulties earlier in the week. Afghan state media attributed the delay and temporary collapse of negotiations to what they described as the "unreasonable demands of the Pakistani side," highlighting the sensitive nature of discussions and the deep-rooted mistrust between the two governments.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the conclusion of the talks and emphasized that Afghanistan seeks "good relations with Pakistan based on mutual respect and non-interference." Despite these assurances, the Pakistan government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the latest developments, leaving some uncertainty about Islamabad’s position on the extended ceasefire.

The original ceasefire was declared on October 19, following violent clashes that resulted in dozens of fatalities. These clashes were triggered after Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan territory, targeting militants associated with the Pakistani Taliban. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of providing safe havens for militant groups that carry out cross-border attacks, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan claims operates from Afghan soil.

Earlier this week, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a stern warning, stating that "any terrorist attack or any suicide bombing inside Pakistan shall give you the bitter taste of such misadventures." Afghanistan, however, has strongly denied these accusations, condemning the attacks as violations of its sovereignty and asserting its commitment to defending its territory.

Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani also weighed in, warning that "some (in Pakistan), consciously or unconsciously, are playing with fire and war." He stressed that while Afghans "do not want war," defending the country’s borders remains a top priority for Kabul, reflecting the delicate balance Afghanistan must maintain between maintaining peace and protecting its sovereignty.

Although the ceasefire has largely held since its declaration, the border between the two countries remains closed, resulting in significant disruptions. Hundreds of trucks have been stranded, affecting trade and commerce along the frontier. The ongoing closure underscores the fragile nature of the agreement and the challenges both nations face in normalizing relations after years of mistrust and conflict.

The extended ceasefire and upcoming negotiations in Istanbul represent a critical opportunity for Pakistan and Afghanistan to build mechanisms that prevent future clashes, promote regional stability, and address the underlying security concerns that have long strained their bilateral relationship. Both countries will need to navigate complex political and security dynamics carefully to ensure that the ceasefire translates into lasting peace along one of the most sensitive borders in the region.