In a major breakthrough, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Afghan Defence Minister Maulvi Sahib Muhammad Yaqub Mujahid signed a ceasefire deal between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, on October 19. The agreement has been welcomed by political leaders at home and abroad, who are hailing it as a “first step in the right direction” toward regional stability.
With tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border running high, a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Khawaja Asif traveled to Doha for talks with Afghan Taliban officials. The goal: put an end to cross-border hostilities and address Pakistan’s security concerns. Following the negotiations, both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty. The next round of talks is scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul.
Pakistani Leaders Applaud the Agreement
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the ceasefire as “the first step in the right direction.” In a post on X, he emphasized the need to set up a concrete and verifiable mechanism in the upcoming talks to tackle terrorism coming from Afghan soil. “It’s crucial to prevent further loss of lives,” he wrote.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also welcomed the deal, calling it a “significant step toward regional stability.” He highlighted that peace in Afghanistan is directly linked to peace in Pakistan and praised the negotiation process as “the only guarantee for lasting peace in the region.”
Global Support for the Deal
Qatar and Turkiye, which mediated the negotiations, praised the agreement. Qatar expressed hope that the deal would “end border tensions and lay a solid foundation for sustainable peace.” Turkiye added that it would continue supporting efforts for stability in the region.
Oman also expressed appreciation, calling the ceasefire “a step toward lasting and comprehensive peace between the two countries.”
Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad described the development as “good news from Doha,” highlighting the crucial role played by Qatar and Turkiye in bringing both sides together.
Mixed Reactions at Home
PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique called the move “commendable” and prayed for a successful outcome in the Istanbul talks. He reminded everyone that Pakistan and Afghanistan share religion, traditions, blood ties, and geography, making true separation impossible.
Meanwhile, former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari welcomed the ceasefire but noted that the agreement doesn’t address the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “The core issue of Afghan Taliban support for TTP and their safe havens is not mentioned,” she wrote on X. “Just referring to future ‘mechanisms’ is too vague.”
Looking Ahead
The hope is that this ceasefire will evolve into a long-term peace process, including stronger economic ties and people-to-people contact. With the next round of talks in Istanbul on October 25, all eyes will be on whether this historic agreement can hold and pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
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