Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to a five-day Eid ceasefire after Kabul strike, offering brief relief as tensions ease, but fears remain of renewed cross-border violence after the holiday.
WEBDESK – MediaBites News – The National (Source)
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a five-day ceasefire over Eid al-Fitr, temporarily halting weeks of escalating cross-border violence following a deadly strike in Kabul.
The truce, reportedly facilitated by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, will take effect at midnight Thursday and continue until Tuesday, providing a short window of calm during the religious holiday.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the ceasefire was agreed “in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms,” while warning that military operations would resume immediately if any cross-border or militant activity occurs.
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities confirmed they would also suspend military actions against Pakistan during the same period, signaling cautious willingness to de-escalate after a sharp rise in hostilities.
The ceasefire follows a March 16 airstrike in Kabul that resulted in significant casualties and injuries. Afghan officials say civilians were affected, while the Taliban claim the strike hit a drug rehabilitation center where people had gathered for prayers.
Pakistan has denied targeting civilians, maintaining that its forces conducted precision strikes against militant infrastructure and accusing Afghan authorities of harboring groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistani territory.
The recent violence has triggered retaliatory drone strikes and border clashes, marking one of the most serious escalations between the two neighbors in recent years.
Scenes of mass funerals in Kabul highlighted the human toll of the conflict and intensified calls for restraint from the international community.
The United Nations has welcomed the ceasefire, expressing hope that the temporary pause could extend beyond Eid and pave the way for broader de-escalation.
Despite the agreement, both sides remain on high alert, with uncertainty looming over whether the fragile truce will hold once the Eid period ends.
