Ceasefire Tied to Taliban’s Control Over Terrorists
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s ceasefire with Afghanistan depends on the Taliban’s ability to stop terrorists operating from their territory. The agreement, brokered in Doha with Qatar and Turkiye’s help, followed several days of deadly border clashes, the worst since the Taliban took power in 2021.
Asif warned that “anything coming from Afghanistan will be a violation of this agreement.” He said the truce’s success rests on Kabul’s actions against militants. He also claimed that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had long used Afghan soil to attack Pakistan “in connivance” with the Taliban, though Kabul denies this.
Agreement Signed with Regional Mediation
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkiye, and Qatar jointly signed the deal, which bans all cross-border aggression. Asif praised Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their mediation efforts.
He added that both sides agreed on eliminating terrorism to ensure lasting peace in the region. Moreover, the move could revive trade and transit through Pakistani ports, strengthening bilateral ties.
Next Round of Talks in Istanbul
A follow-up meeting will be held in Istanbul next week to finalise how the ceasefire will be implemented. According to Asif, this round aims to establish a monitoring system and resolve pending issues.
He clarified that Afghan refugees with valid documents can stay in Pakistan. However, undocumented refugees will continue to be repatriated in line with existing policy.
Focus on Peace, Not Outside Influence
Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, Asif said the main purpose of the truce is to “eliminate the menace of terrorism” and stabilise relations. In a separate interview with Arab News, he rejected claims that Pakistan’s airstrikes were influenced by the United States, calling such reports “total nonsense.”
He explained that Pakistan wishes to “live as a decent neighbour” and avoid interference in Afghanistan’s domestic or foreign affairs.
Guarded Optimism and Next Steps
Asif expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire’s durability. “We’ll see in the coming weeks whether the agreement holds,” he remarked. Any violation, he added, would trigger diplomatic intervention from Qatar and Turkiye.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan would not hold talks with the TTP, even though its leadership operates from Afghan territory. The Istanbul meeting on October 25 will decide how to monitor and enforce the truce.
Asif also dismissed concerns over Qatar’s revised press release, saying it “has absolutely no impact on the deal.” Instead, he urged both countries to focus on implementing the agreement effectively.
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