**Afghanistan and Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire After Deadly Clashes**
ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan and Pakistan, engaged in violent clashes that have resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, pledged on Sunday to respect a ceasefire. The truce, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, came into effect immediately and aims to pause hostilities between the two neighbors.
Violence escalated earlier this month, with each country accusing the other of aggression. Afghanistan denies harboring fighters who carry out attacks in the border areas. The situation intensified after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 and returned to power, leading to increased fighting on Pakistan’s side.
The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, welcomed the outcome of talks held in Doha, Qatar, the day before. He confirmed that both countries signed a bilateral agreement, stating:
“It has been decided that neither country will undertake any hostile actions against the other, nor will they support groups carrying out attacks against Pakistan. Both sides will refrain from targeting each other’s security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure.”
Mujahid added that a mechanism would be established in the future, “under the mediation of intermediary countries,” to review bilateral claims and ensure the effective implementation of the agreement.
During an online news conference, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Muhammad Yaqoob revealed that the Doha talks lasted 13 hours. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also confirmed the deal on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Cross-border terrorism from Afghan territory will cease immediately. Both countries will respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. A follow-up meeting between the delegations is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on October 25 to discuss the matters in detail.”
Top officials from both countries expressed gratitude to Qatar and Turkey for facilitating the talks that led to the ceasefire.
The recent fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has severely disrupted lives along their shared border, known as the Durand Line—spanning 2,611 kilometers (1,622 miles)—which Afghanistan has never officially recognized. The two countries rely on just two main trade routes, which have been badly affected.
Worsening security conditions forced many locals to flee their homes and stranded thousands of people and vehicles at border crossings for up to a week. The Chaman crossing in southwestern Pakistan remains open only for Afghan refugees leaving the country amid Pakistan’s nationwide crackdown on undocumented foreigners. All entry from Afghanistan—including trade and pedestrian movement—remains suspended.
Shafiullah Khan, an Afghan refugee who had been stuck at Chaman for three days, expressed relief about the ceasefire:
“We are so happy for this peace agreement. The refugees were suffering a lot, but now, after this agreement, we are happy and are going back to our country.”
However, businessman Hazarat Bilal Umaid, who depends on cross-border trade between the two countries, voiced concerns:
“People were afraid and worried about how to save their livelihoods. Now our request to both governments is to open the gate for trade as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, the Torkham crossing, located between Pakistan’s northwest and Afghanistan’s east, remains completely closed.
*Associated Press writers Abdul Qahar Afghan in Jalalabad, Afghanistan; Sajjad Tarakzai in Islamabad; and Abdul Sattar in Quetta, Pakistan, contributed to this report.*
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/afghanistan-pakistan-ceasefire/