A high-level Afghan delegation led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob arrived in Doha on Saturday for peace talks with Pakistan, following a temporary extension of a ceasefire aimed at halting the worst border violence between the two countries since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
The talks, confirmed by Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, come after a week of deadly clashes along the 2,600-kilometre frontier that left dozens dead and hundreds injured. A Pakistani delegation had arrived in the Qatari capital a day earlier, with additional senior officials expected to join, according to government and security sources.
While Islamabad has yet to officially confirm its participation, the ceasefire—initially set for 48 hours—was extended to cover the duration of the negotiations.
Escalating Tensions and Cross-Border Strikes
The recent violence was sparked by Pakistan’s demand that the Afghan Taliban crack down on militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan territory and launching attacks inside Pakistan. On Friday, a suicide bombing near the Afghan border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded 13 others, further straining relations.
“The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan,” said Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a military graduation ceremony.
Despite the ceasefire, Afghan officials accused Pakistan of launching fresh airstrikes on Afghan territory just hours after the truce was extended. Mujahid condemned the strikes, stating that while Kabul reserves the right to respond, Afghan forces had been instructed to avoid retaliation in order to preserve the integrity of the peace talks.
Civilian Casualties and Sporting Fallout
The Afghan government reported that the airstrikes killed several local cricketers, prompting the Afghanistan Cricket Board to withdraw from a scheduled tournament in Pakistan this November. “The national team will not participate in the event as a mark of protest,” the board said in a statement.
The Pakistani military has not commented on the reported airstrikes.
A Fragile Path Forward
The Doha talks mark a critical juncture in efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, whose relationship has deteriorated sharply over cross-border militancy and security concerns. While both sides have expressed interest in dialogue, the path to a lasting resolution remains uncertain amid mutual distrust and ongoing violence.
