Afghanistan-Pakistan Ceasefire: No Hidden Clauses, Peace Deal Clarified

Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defence has issued a statement clarifying that the recently signed ceasefire agreement with Pakistan contains no hidden clauses. The accord focuses on peace, restraint, and joint monitoring following deadly border clashes.

Key Points of the Ceasefire Agreement

• Immediate Ceasefire: Both countries agreed to halt hostilities along the border.

• Mutual Respect: The agreement emphasizes avoiding attacks on each other’s security forces, civilians, and facilities.

• Dialogue and Resolution: All disputes will be resolved through dialogue, not conflict.

• Joint Monitoring Mechanism: Qatar and Turkey will help monitor implementation and address bilateral grievances.

Clarifying Confusion Over ‘Classified’ Details

• Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, had described the ceasefire terms as “classified.”

• Afghanistan publicly stated that the agreement contains nothing beyond what was shared during official briefings, rejecting claims of undisclosed clauses on social media.

Context Behind the Talks

• The ceasefire was negotiated in Doha, Qatar, following deadly border clashes that killed dozens, marking the worst confrontation between the two neighbors since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

• The violence escalated after Pakistan demanded that Afghanistan rein in militants carrying out attacks from across the border.

• Taliban representatives denied sheltering militants and accused Pakistan of supporting Islamic State-linked groups to destabilize Afghanistan.

Follow-Up and Sustainability

• Both sides have agreed to hold follow-up meetings to ensure the ceasefire’s sustainability.

• The joint mechanism, with mediation by Qatar and Turkey, will verify implementation and maintain constructive bilateral relations.

This agreement aims to restore peace, reduce cross-border tensions, and build a framework for long-term dialogue and cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.