Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to 48-hour ceasefire, Islamabad says

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban administration have agreed to a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours starting 6:00 p.m. Pakistan local time (1300 GMT) on Wednesday, Islamabad said, after fresh clashes erupted between the neighbours.

"Both Pakistan and Afghanistan will make sincere efforts, through dialogue, to find a positive solution to the complex yet resolvable issue," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

An Afghan Taliban government spokesperson also confirmed the truce, saying, “At the request of the Pakistani side, a ceasefire between the two countries will take place this evening after 5:30 p.m.”

“The Islamic Emirate also directs its forces to observe the ceasefire, provided the other side does not commit aggression,” they added.

The announcement came hours after Pakistan carried out an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, according to officials from both countries, as fresh fighting erupted along their shared border.

The latest violence marked a sharp escalation after a brief lull over the weekend, with artillery exchanges and gunfire killing more than a dozen civilians and soldiers on both sides.

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government have surged in recent weeks, with Islamabad accusing Afghan authorities of harbouring militants behind deadly attacks in Pakistan. 

Kabul denies the allegations however saying that the grounds of Afghanistan can never be used to plot attacks against any other territory.

Border crossings between the two countries remain closed, disrupting trade and leaving hundreds of trucks stranded. Afghan refugees returning home were also stuck at the borders on Pakistan's side since hostilities escalated.

The recent clashes have drawn concern from major powers including China, Russia and the United States, all urging restraint. 

The fragile truce now marks the first test of whether Islamabad and Kabul can step back from the brink and open the door to longer-term dialogue.

Copied