Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend their ceasefire following talks in Istanbul, after suffering their worst border clashes in years, according to a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
The ceasefire, initially declared on October 19, came after deadly exchanges that marked the most intense fighting between the two neighbors since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021. The clashes triggered Pakistani airstrikes, Afghan retaliatory fire, and the closure of key trade and transit crossings.
“All parties have agreed to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure the preservation of peace and to impose penalties on any side that violates the agreement,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, referring to the October 25–30 negotiations.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on November 6, where the parties will discuss how to implement the agreed mechanisms. Turkey and Qatar, which jointly mediated the talks, expressed readiness to continue working with both sides to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the conclusion of the discussions shortly before midnight in Istanbul, noting that both countries agreed to continue dialogue in upcoming meetings.
