Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an immediate ceasefire after high-level negotiations in Doha, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Sunday.
The agreement comes after days of deadly border clashes between the two neighbours. During the 13-hour talks, held under Qatar’s mediation and supported by Turkiye, both sides promised to respect each other’s sovereignty and work towards lasting peace.
Read More: Pakistan and Afghan Taliban Agree to Extend Ceasefire
“A ceasefire agreement has been finalised. The terrorist attacks from Afghanistan on Pakistan’s soil will cease immediately,” Asif posted on X. He added that the two sides will meet again in Istanbul on October 25 to continue discussions.
پاکستان اور افغانستان کے مابین سیز فائر کا معاہدہ طے پاگیا۔ پاکستان کی سرزمین پہ افغانستان سے دھشت گردی کا سلسلہ فی الفور بند ھوگا۔ دونوں ھمسایہ ملک ایک دوسرے کی سرزمین کا احترام کریں گے الحمدوللہ
25اکتوبر کو استنبول میں دوبارہ وفود میں ملاقات ھو گی۔ اور تفصیلی معاملات بات ھوگی۔… pic.twitter.com/OKNbRuXEPU— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) October 18, 2025
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed the breakthrough, saying both nations agreed to create a permanent mechanism for peace and stability.
The recent violence had erupted after Afghan forces launched an attack on Pakistani border posts earlier this month, killing 23 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan responded with airstrikes targeting militant camps inside Afghanistan.
پاکستان اور افغانستان کے درمیان فوری جنگ بندی پر اتفاق — مذاکرات دوحہ میں مکمل
اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان اور افغانستان کے درمیان دوحہ میں ہونے والے مذاکرات کے دوران دونوں ممالک نے فوری جنگ بندی پر اتفاق کر لیا۔
مذاکرات کی میزبانی ریاستِ قطر نے کی، جبکہ جمہوریہ ترکیہ نے ثالثی کا… pic.twitter.com/XedvDiSFAp
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 18, 2025
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said it did not seek escalation but urged Kabul to act against terrorist groups using Afghan soil to target Pakistan.
Read More: Afghan Taliban Seek Strong Ties With All Regional Nations
Ties between the two countries have been tense since 2023, with Pakistan blaming the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for cross-border attacks. The new ceasefire is seen as a key step toward easing regional tensions and restoring stability.