Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Immediate Ceasefire After Deadly Clashes

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following over a week of deadly border clashes. The truce was reached during talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, and took effect immediately.

The recent violence, which began on October 10, resulted in dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries, marking the worst escalation since the Taliban assumed power in Kabul in 2021. Both nations have accused each other of initiating hostilities and harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks.

As part of the ceasefire agreement, both countries pledged to refrain from targeting each other's security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure. Additionally, Afghanistan agreed not to support groups carrying out attacks against Pakistan. A bilateral mechanism, overseen by the mediating countries, will be established to handle future disputes and ensure compliance.

The ceasefire follows a temporary 48-hour truce agreed upon earlier in the week, which was extended amid plans for mediation but saw continued violence. The recent agreement aims to de-escalate tensions and foster lasting peace and stability between the neighboring countries.

In a related development, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the withdrawal from the upcoming T20 tri-series in Pakistan, scheduled for November 17-29, following the deaths of three Afghan cricketers in military airstrikes in Paktika province. The board expressed deep sorrow over the incident and cited it as the reason for their withdrawal.