Pakistan, Taliban Extend Ceasefire for Doha Talks

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend a 48-hour ceasefire until planned peace talks in Doha conclude, after days of fierce border clashes that killed dozens and wounded hundreds, with UN agencies reporting at least 17–18 Afghan civilian deaths and many hundreds injured. Qatar is mediating the Doha talks, where Pakistan is seeking written, tangible and verifiable assurances and a clear timeline that banned militant groups—particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—will not be allowed to operate from Afghan soil. High-level delegations, including Pakistan’s defence minister and Afghanistan’s defence minister, are scheduled to meet in Doha, though reports differ on whether the Pakistani team has already arrived. Despite the truce, Pakistani security sources and Taliban officials reported “precision aerial strikes” in Afghan border areas, and militants carried out a suicide vehicle-borne attack in north Waziristan that killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured 13. Both sides say they prefer a diplomatic resolution, but ongoing strikes, militant attacks and mutual accusations over sheltering or sponsoring militants underline how fragile the ceasefire remains.