Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, announced on Monday that a ceasefire agreement with Afghanistan is critically dependent on the Taliban’s pledge to control and prevent terrorists from launching attacks against Pakistan from Afghan soil. This significant statement comes just a day after both nations, with the mediation of Qatar and Turkey, agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks held in Doha.
“Any aggression originating from Afghanistan will be considered a direct violation of this accord,” Asif emphasized, highlighting that the entire agreement rests on this crucial clause. He further clarified that the terms, agreed upon by Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Qatar, explicitly prohibit any cross-border incursions.
According to Asif, the ceasefire will remain in effect only as long as these stipulated conditions are honored. The primary goal of this agreement, he stressed during an interview with Al-Jazeera Arabic, is the complete eradication of terrorism, which has plagued the border regions between the two countries for years. Both nations have recognized the urgent need to address this threat, understanding that failure to do so could jeopardize regional peace.
Another meeting is slated for next week in Istanbul to finalize the intricate details of this pivotal agreement. Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob has also acknowledged that terrorism is the root cause of the strained relations between the two countries, expressing optimism that this issue will now be resolved. Asif expressed hope for a return to peace and normalization of bilateral relations, which would also facilitate the resumption of trade and transit, allowing Afghanistan access to Pakistani ports.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense since 2023, with Islamabad frequently voicing concerns over militant groups operating from Afghan territory. The situation escalated recently following several terrorist attacks by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including a deadly incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district that claimed the lives of eleven military personnel, including a Lt Colonel and a Major.