The escalating border conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan saw leaders from both nations pointing fingers at the other for the recent violence, even as Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an immediate ceasefire following negotiations in Doha.
Pakistan Blames Afghanistan for Cross-Border Terrorism
On Sunday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a telephonic conversation with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, blamed Afghanistan for the recent cross-border escalations.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) posted on X, PM Sharif told Anwar Ibrahim that Pakistan seeks peace but “continues to face cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan soil.” He emphasized that Afghan authorities “must take immediate and effective steps to dismantle terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil” that orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan.
Sharif announced that Pakistan had agreed to a “temporary ceasefire at the request of the Afghan authorities to facilitate dialogue in Doha,” but stressed the need for “tangible action against all terrorist entities, including Fitna-al-Khwarij, Fitna-al-Hindustan, TTP, and BLA,” to restore border stability.
Afghanistan Blames Pakistan for Initiating Conflict
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Afghanistan’s Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, in a separate telephone conversation with the Malaysian PM, Dato’ Mohammad Anwar Ibrahim, countered Pakistan’s claims by stating that Islamabad “initiated” the conflict by violating Afghan territory.
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted on X that the Afghan Prime Minister reaffirmed Kabul does not seek conflict but was forced to respond to alleged Pakistani aggression. Akhund also briefed his Malaysian counterpart on the ongoing talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, which were being led by the respective defence ministers.
The Doha talks and subsequent ceasefire agreement come after days of deadly conflict, which included Pakistani airstrikes on Friday in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province. According to Tolo News, these strikes hit residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties.
Immediate Ceasefire Announced
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced on Sunday that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” during the negotiations in Doha. The statement indicated that the two sides also agreed to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability, with follow-up meetings scheduled to ensure the ceasefire’s sustainability. The ceasefire follows a previous 48-hour truce that had expired, after which violence immediately reignited. Both leaders—Shehbaz Sharif and Anwar Ibrahim—agreed to remain in touch to discuss the regional developments.