In a significant development for regional stability, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend their fragile ceasefire for at least another week, following intensive peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey. The agreement, announced on October 30, 2025, comes after the deadliest border clashes between the two neighbors since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, and marks a cautious step toward de-escalation amid ongoing tensions and mutual accusations.
The talks, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, were held in Istanbul from October 25 to 30, 2025, after an earlier round of negotiations had collapsed earlier in the week. According to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, both sides will reconvene for a higher-level meeting on November 6 in Istanbul, where they are expected to finalize a monitoring and verification mechanism designed to maintain peace and impose penalties on any party that violates the ceasefire. "All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure maintenance of peace and imposing penalty on the violating party," the ministry stated, as reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.
The ceasefire itself was first declared on October 19, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, after a week of fierce fighting along the 2,600-kilometer border. The violence erupted following explosions in Afghanistan, which Kabul blamed on Pakistani airstrikes. Pakistan, in turn, launched cross-border strikes, claiming to have killed more than 200 Afghan fighters. Afghan officials responded by saying they had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers—though Pakistan’s military put its losses at 23 soldiers and insisted its operations were targeting militant hideouts inside Afghanistan. The clashes marked the most serious confrontation between the two countries in years, resulting in dozens of deaths among soldiers, civilians, and militants on both sides, according to Associated Press and DW.
Despite the ceasefire, the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains closed, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying goods and refugees stranded on both sides. The closure has caused mounting losses for traders and businesses, with economic pain acutely felt in border towns. Nazir Ahmed, a cloth trader in Kandahar, told AFP, "Both countries will bear losses. Our nation is tired and their nation is also tired." Abdul Jabbar, a vehicle parts trader in Chaman, Pakistan, echoed the sentiment: "Trade suffers greatly. Both countries face losses—both are Islamic nations." The economic disruption has heightened the urgency for a lasting peace, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The root of the conflict lies in deep-seated mistrust and competing security interests. Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan—especially since the Taliban’s return to power—of sheltering the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an armed group responsible for a surge in deadly attacks inside Pakistan in recent months. Islamabad’s central demand in the Istanbul talks was for Kabul to take "clear, verifiable and effective action" against militant groups like the TTP. Afghan officials, however, have consistently denied providing safe haven to the TTP, condemning Pakistani airstrikes as violations of Afghan sovereignty.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the conclusion of the Istanbul talks, emphasizing Afghanistan’s commitment to diplomacy and peaceful relations. "Just as the Islamic Emirate seeks good relations with other neighboring countries, it also desires positive ties with Pakistan and remains committed to relations based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and not posing a threat to any side," Mujahid said in a statement cited by DW and Associated Press. He reiterated Afghanistan’s desire for "good relations with Pakistan based on mutual respect and non-interference." Meanwhile, Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani warned, "Some (in Pakistan), consciously or unconsciously, are playing with fire and war," but added, "Afghans do not want war."
On the Pakistani side, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif acknowledged that Islamabad agreed to give peace another chance at the request of Qatar and Turkey. He told Geo News, "Any terrorist attack or any suicide bombing inside Pakistan shall give you the bitter taste of such misadventures," underscoring the seriousness with which Pakistan views cross-border militancy. Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, addressed tribal elders in Peshawar, stating, "Pakistan seeks peace with all its neighbors, including Afghanistan, but will not tolerate cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil." He highlighted that Pakistan had exercised restraint and made diplomatic and economic overtures to improve ties, but accused the Taliban government of supporting the TTP, which has been listed as a terrorist organization by both the United Nations and the United States for over a decade.
The mediation efforts by Turkey and Qatar have been pivotal in bringing both sides back to the negotiating table after the initial breakdown in talks. The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed its readiness, alongside Qatar, to "continue cooperation with both sides for lasting peace and stability." The next round of talks in Istanbul on November 6 is expected to focus on finalizing the monitoring and verification mechanism, which both parties agree is essential to prevent further escalations and ensure accountability for any breaches of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains tense. Pakistan’s military reported on October 30 that it had killed 18 militants in two separate operations in Balochistan and four Pakistani Taliban, including a high-value target, as they attempted to cross into Bajaur near the Afghan border. These operations underscore the persistent threat posed by militant groups operating in the border regions and the challenges facing any long-term peace effort.
The recent violence and subsequent talks have drawn international attention, with regional stability at stake. The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has historically been a flashpoint, with disputes over security, trade, and the movement of people. The current ceasefire, while fragile, is seen as a necessary step to prevent a broader conflict that could destabilize not only the two countries but the wider region.
As both sides prepare for the next round of negotiations, the fate of the border crossings and the livelihoods of thousands of traders and refugees hang in the balance. The coming weeks will test whether the commitments made in Istanbul can be translated into lasting peace—or whether old grievances and mistrust will once again plunge the region into violence.
For now, the extension of the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope to those on both sides of the border who have grown weary of war and economic hardship, even as the specter of renewed conflict remains ever-present.
