Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement regarding the talks held between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which resulted in an agreement for a ceasefire.

The following statements were made in the statement made by the Ministry:

We welcome the decision to establish a ceasefire and establish mechanisms to strengthen peace and stability between the two sides during the talks held in Doha between Afghanistan and Pakistan, mediated by Turkey and Qatar. We commend the efforts of Qatar, which also hosted the talks.

Turkey will continue to support efforts to establish lasting peace and stability between the two brotherly countries and in the region.

What had happened?

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated last week with clashes along the Durand Line. Following attacks on its own checkpoints, the Pakistani military announced that it had struck 20-30 targets within Afghanistan, which does not officially recognize the Durand Line as a border.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry announced a 48-hour ceasefire agreement on Wednesday, and the following day, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that his country was ready for talks.