Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban held fresh peace talks in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, agreeing to maintain a ceasefire. The talks aim to ease tensions after deadly border clashes in October. Officials said both sides remain open to further meetings for a positive outcome.
The talks follow previous efforts in Qatar and Turkey, where a ceasefire was agreed but a long-term deal failed. Pakistani and Afghan officials said the Saudi-hosted talks involved military, intelligence, and foreign office representatives. The discussions focused on maintaining calm along the border and preventing militant attacks.
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Pakistan has repeatedly accused militants based in Afghanistan of staging attacks inside its territory. Afghan officials denied using their soil to support attacks, while Islamabad highlighted recent incidents, including a suicide bombing that killed 12 people in Islamabad. Both sides are seeking ways to enforce the ceasefire effectively.
The October clashes marked the worst border violence since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, killing dozens of people. Islamabad had demanded written guarantees from Kabul against anti-Pakistan militants, but the Taliban said it cannot ensure security outside Afghanistan’s borders. The ceasefire has, however, held in recent weeks.
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Officials said more meetings could follow to strengthen dialogue and reach a lasting agreement. Saudi Arabia’s initiative underscores the regional effort to stabilize relations between the neighboring countries. Both sides stressed the importance of continued negotiations to prevent future escalations.