What Are the Terms of the Ceasefire Agreement Between Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ceasefire agreement emphasizes mutual respect and avoidance of violence.
- Both nations are urged to engage in dialogue to resolve disputes.
- Recent airstrikes have raised concerns over civilian safety.
- International mediation by Qatar aims to stabilize the region.
- Follow-up talks are crucial for sustaining the peace process.
Kabul, Oct 22 (NationPress) The Taliban administration in Afghanistan on Wednesday underscored that the accord with Pakistan thoroughly emphasizes ceasefire, mutual respect, and the avoidance of assaults on each other's security forces, civilians, and infrastructures.
In a statement shared on X, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence declared, "The Defence Minister of the Islamic Emirate has offered a detailed overview during a press conference regarding the accord with Pakistan; no additional information is available beyond this. The agreement thoroughly emphasizes ceasefire, mutual respect, the avoidance of attacks on each other's security forces, civilians, and infrastructures, resolving all issues through dialogue, and refraining from facilitating attacks against one another. Any declarations outside these terms are considered invalid."
This development arises amid increasing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following Islamabad's airstrikes on Afghan soil and the mass deportation of Afghan refugees.
Earlier on October 18, Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced that Afghanistan and Pakistan had reached an agreement for an immediate ceasefire after over a week of intense conflict that resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries.
As per the Qatari statement, both nations consented to create mechanisms aimed at fostering lasting peace and stability, with follow-up discussions planned in the upcoming days to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire.
Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan were present in Doha for negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Turkey.
The discussions were led by the respective defence ministers, with Pakistan asserting that the emphasis would be on "immediate actions to cease cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the border."
The conflict escalated when Pakistan initiated airstrikes on Kabul. Both Islamabad and Kabul have accused each other of aggression in recent times.
Pakistan has persistently alleged that militant groups have been launching attacks from Afghan territory, while Afghanistan has strongly denied harboring any such entities responsible for cross-border violence.
On October 18, three Afghan cricketers tragically lost their lives in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province of Afghanistan.
The players had traveled from Urgun to Sharana, near the Pakistan border, to partake in a friendly cricket match. The deceased were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, with five other civilians also falling victim to the strike.