KABUL: (Oct 23) Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defence has issued a clarification on the recently announced ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, stressing that all matters between the two nations will be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect.
In a statement posted on X, the ministry said the Islamic Emirate’s Defence Minister had already provided a detailed explanation during a press conference, and “no further information exists beyond that.”
“The agreement completely emphasizes ceasefire, mutual respect, the avoidance of attacks on each other’s security forces, civilians, and facilities, and the resolution of all matters through dialogue,” the ministry stated, adding that “any statements beyond these terms are invalid.”
The clarification came after Afghanistan’s spokesperson announced on Sunday that a comprehensive ceasefire had been mutually agreed upon between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Qatar, with the deal formalized through a bilateral agreement.
The spokesperson thanked Qatar and Türkiye for their “instrumental role” in mediating the talks that led to the truce. Under the terms of the agreement, both sides pledged not to undertake hostile actions against each other or support groups carrying out attacks against the Pakistani government.
“Both sides reaffirm their commitment to peace, mutual respect, and the maintenance of strong and constructive neighborly relations,” the Afghan spokesperson said in a series of posts. “They are committed to resolving issues and disputes through dialogue. Neither country will target the other’s security forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure.”
To ensure effective implementation, the two nations also agreed to create a bilateral review mechanism with support from intermediary countries such as Qatar and Türkiye.
The breakthrough came after deadly border clashes in recent weeks, which saw Pakistan launch airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday, killing 17 people, including three Afghan cricketers. According to Tolo News, the strikes hit residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry, which facilitated the talks, confirmed that both sides had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” and would hold follow-up discussions to ensure the truce’s “durability and sustainability.”
The diplomatic truce marks a rare moment of cooperation between Islamabad and Kabul, who have been locked in escalating hostilities for months over cross-border militant activity.
Trump Blasts India-Russia Ties: ‘They Can Take Their Dead Economies Down Together’