Taliban Must Stop Attacks for Ceasefire to Hold: Khawaja Asif

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has clarified that the recently agreed ceasefire with Afghanistan will only remain in effect if the Taliban fulfills its commitment to end cross-border terrorist attacks. The statement came a day after the ceasefire deal was signed in Doha, facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye.

Asif stressed that the success of the truce depends entirely on Afghanistan’s actions. “Anything coming from Afghanistan will be considered a violation of this agreement,” he told Dawn. He added that the agreement explicitly prohibits incursions across the border, making the ceasefire conditional.

Focus on Eliminating Terrorism

The primary objective of the ceasefire, Asif explained, is to eliminate terrorism, which has historically impacted the border regions of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both nations have now recognised that controlling militancy is critical for maintaining peace and regional stability.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled in Istanbul next week to finalise the ceasefire’s operational details. Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob has acknowledged that terrorism has been the key factor behind tensions between the neighbours, and both countries will now work jointly to address the issue.

Context and Challenges

Pakistan and Afghanistan have faced tense relations since 2023, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing the Taliban government of allowing militants, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan soil. Several deadly attacks, including a recent incident in Orakzai district that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers, have heightened the urgency for a lasting ceasefire.

The ceasefire deal represents a critical step toward stabilising cross-border security, but its continuation relies entirely on Taliban compliance in halting terrorist activities.