Published On 31/10/2025
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Last update: 03:33 (Mecca time)
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to extend their ceasefire, following five-day peace talks in the Turkish city of Istanbul, jointly mediated by Turkey and Qatar, in a move aimed at containing the unprecedented military escalation that the border between the two neighboring countries witnessed during this October.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced – in a joint statement issued yesterday, Thursday – after the talks held from the 25th to the 30th of this October that the two parties had reached an agreement stipulating the continuation of the ceasefire that began on the 19th of this month, with the establishment of a monitoring and verification mechanism that ensures the preservation of peace and the imposition of sanctions on the violating party.
A high-level meeting is scheduled to be held on November 6 in Istanbul to finalize how to implement this mechanism, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, which confirmed that Ankara and Doha are “ready to continue cooperation with the two sides for lasting peace and stability.”
Türkiye – which mediates between the two countries in conjunction with Qatar – has remained completely silent regarding the discussions since they opened last Saturday.
These talks came after bloody confrontations that included Pakistani air strikes inside Afghan territory, and fiery responses from the Afghan side, which led to the closure of vital border crossings and severe political tensions. The two capitals exchanged accusations of supporting armed groups, amid warnings of the outbreak of open war if the dialogue failed.
For his part, Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stressed – in a statement from Istanbul – his country’s commitment to resolving disputes through diplomatic means, and its pursuit of good relations with Pakistan based on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs. He confirmed the conclusion of the talks, saying that the two sides agreed to continue discussions in subsequent meetings.
In Islamabad, two senior security officials told Agence France-Presse that their country reaffirmed that Afghan territory should not be used for what was described as “terrorism” against Pakistan, and Pakistan expressed its appreciation for the constructive role of its hosts and said that it would remain committed to seeking a peaceful solution in good faith.”
The peoples of the border regions hope that these talks will result in the reopening of the crossings and the resumption of trade, amid fears that any new failure will lead to a long-term conflict that threatens the stability of the region.