ISLAMABAD; The temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been extended, a senior diplomatic source confirmed to Dawn.com on Friday.
The development follows days of intense border clashes after Afghanistan launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistani border posts on the night of August 11.
The assault triggered a series of skirmishes that continued until Wednesday, resulting in the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani troops and the deaths of over 200 Taliban fighters.
In response, Pakistan conducted “precision strikes” targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and capital Kabul.
At Afghanistan’s request, a 48-hour temporary ceasefire was agreed upon, which expired at 6pm on Friday. The diplomatic source said the truce has now been extended until talks in Doha, Qatar conclude.
“The temporary ceasefire was extended at the request of the Afghan Taliban government,” the source said, adding that high-level negotiations are expected to begin on Saturday.
Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) stated that both Islamabad and Kabul are making sincere efforts to resolve the “complex but solvable” border issue through constructive dialogue during the ceasefire period.
FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said at a weekly briefing that Pakistan values dialogue, diplomacy and a mutually beneficial relationship with Afghanistan, but is closely monitoring the situation and remains prepared to protect its people and territory.
He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for a peaceful, stable, friendly, inclusive and prosperous Afghanistan, while urging Kabul to fulfil its commitments under the Doha Process and take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil.
Khan highlighted Pakistan’s concerns over the presence of “Fitna al Khawarij” (a term for TTP militants) and “Fitna al Hindustan” (Balochistan-based groups allegedly backed by India) inside Afghanistan, and demanded concrete, verifiable action from the Taliban regime.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to engage in talks, provided Afghanistan accepts Islamabad’s “justified” conditions. “The ball is in their court,” he said during a cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, the FO criticised Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent remarks in India, rejecting his claim that Afghanistan hosts no terrorist groups. The FO maintained that terrorism is not an internal issue and pointed to the active presence of hostile groups on Afghan soil.
