Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Thursday to extend a ceasefire during talks in Istanbul after the worst border clashes between the neighbors in years, according to Turkey, which brokered the talks along with Qatar.
The ceasefire began on October 19. The two countries have had their most serious military confrontations since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021, with deadly clashes this month that have sparked Pakistani airstrikes, Afghan retaliatory fire and the closure of key crossings used for trade and transit.
“All parties have agreed to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure the maintenance of peace and impose penalties on the violating party,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said of the October 25-30 talks.
She added that a follow-up meeting will be held in Istanbul on November 6 to decide how the mechanism will be implemented and that Turkey and Qatar “are 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, Skynews writes.
