Pakistan and Afghanistan finally agreed on Thursday to uphold a ceasefire during peace talks in Istanbul, according to Turkey, after the earlier discussions between the two sides had collapsed. The two countries had faced their most serious military confrontations since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul, with deadly clashes this month triggering Pakistani airstrikes, Afghan retaliatory fire and the closure of key crossings used for trade and transit, Reuters reported. “Afghanistan, Pakistan, Türkiye and Qatar held meetings in Istanbul from 25-30 October 2025 aimed at solidifying the ceasefire which was agreed by Afghanistan and Pakistan in Doha on 18-19 October 2025 with the mediation of Türkiye and Qatar. All parties have agreed on continuation of ceasefire,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said. It added that a follow-up meeting would be held in Istanbul on November 6 to decide how the mechanism will be implemented, and that Turkey and Qatar “stand ready to continue cooperation with both sides for lasting peace and stability.” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a separate statement shortly before midnight in Istanbul confirming the conclusion of the talks and saying both sides had agreed to continue discussions in future meetings. He said Afghanistan sought good relations with Pakistan “based on mutual respect and non-interference.”Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan flared earlier this month after explosions in Kabul that the Taliban govt blamed on Pakistani airstrikes. Afghan officials claimed to have retaliated, saying 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, but Pakistan’s military said 23 of its soldiers died and insisted its operations targeted militant hideouts inside Afghanistan. The clashes prompted Qatar to host emergency talks, which resulted in a temporary ceasefire on 19 October. Four days of subsequent talks in Istanbul ended without agreement on Tuesday before Turkey and Qatar helped bring the sides back to the table. On Thursday, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told tribal elders in Peshawar that Pakistan sought peace with all its neighbours, including Afghanistan, but warned it “will not tolerate cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil.”
