ISLAMABAD, October 19, 2025 — Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following high-level talks in Doha. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Sunday, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough after days of deadly cross-border clashes.
The minister, leading the Pakistani delegation, confirmed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that both sides have pledged to respect each other’s territorial sovereignty and halt all hostilities, including cross-border attacks linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) now known as Fitna Al Khwarij (FAK). The next round of talks is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on October 25, with Turkey joining Qatar as a co-mediator.
“A ceasefire agreement has been finalised. Terrorist attacks from Afghan soil will cease immediately,” Asif stated. He also expressed gratitude to Qatar and Turkey for their mediation efforts.
According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 13-hour negotiations in Doha concluded with an agreement not only on the ceasefire but also on the creation of a permanent bilateral mechanism aimed at maintaining long-term peace and stability.
The talks came amid escalating violence. On October 11, Afghan forces launched a surprise assault on Pakistani border posts, resulting in the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani troops. Pakistan responded with precision airstrikes targeting TTP and Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Paktika provinces.
Despite temporary ceasefires, fresh exchanges of fire were reported as recently as Friday. Pakistan, while reiterating it does not seek escalation, called on the Taliban government to honour international commitments and take verifiable action against terror groups using Afghan soil to launch attacks.
The Foreign Office acknowledged Kabul’s commitment in the talks and stressed that “continued engagement” is essential to ensure the TTP threat is neutralized.
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Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have been severely strained since 2023, largely due to repeated TTP incursions. With both countries now pledging cooperation, observers are cautiously optimistic that this ceasefire could be the first step toward regional stability and mutual security.
