ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan are keeping calm at their border after agreeing to a 48-hour ceasefire earlier this week. No new clashes have been reported, and diplomats say back-channel talks are ongoing to turn the truce into lasting peace.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told his cabinet that Kabul should take the first step if it truly wants to solve the issue of cross-border terrorism. “The ball is in their court,” he said, confirming that the Afghan Taliban had requested the ceasefire after intense fighting.
The prime minister said Pakistan agreed to the truce to give peace a chance but warned that it should not be used just to “buy time.” He added that long-term peace requires action against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which operates from Afghan soil.
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Shehbaz also said that despite several visits by Pakistani officials to Kabul, progress was slow. He linked recent attacks to “India’s complete incitement” and noted that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi was in New Delhi during the clashes.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received a message from H.E. Dr. M. Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi @Dr_Al_Khulaifi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, regarding the regional situation.
Dr. Al-Khulaifi appreciated Pakistan’s… pic.twitter.com/7cwJJj6x3W
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 15, 2025
Diplomatic sources say Qatar is hosting possible talks in Doha on Friday, inviting both sides to attend. Saudi Arabia, China, and Iran have also joined efforts to cool tensions.
Qatar’s Emir reportedly spoke with Shehbaz Sharif and offered to mediate. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also called Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the situation.
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A source in Kabul said that Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada has agreed to send Defense Minister Mullah Yaqub to the Doha talks. However, Pakistan has not confirmed its participation yet.
Meanwhile, China and Iran have urged both sides to show restraint and solve their differences through dialogue. Beijing said it supports a “full and lasting ceasefire,” while Tehran offered to help both Muslim neighbours reduce tensions and prevent civilian casualties. The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also appealed to both countries to protect civilians and end hostilities permanently.