Pakistan and Afghanistan hold peace talks in Doha after fierce border clashes

Afghanistan and Pakistan convened in Doha on Saturday for peace talks, following an extension of a ceasefire after a week of intense border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds injured. The meetings come amid growing concerns over regional stability and the resurgence of militant groups in South Asia.

Both countries dispatched their defence ministers to lead discussions focused on “immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the border,” according to Pakistani officials.

Each side continues to accuse the other of initiating aggression, while Afghanistan has denied claims that it harbours militants carrying out attacks along the frontier.

The violence marked the most serious clashes between the neighbouring states since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021. The brief 48-hour truce that was meant to halt hostilities expired on Friday evening, after which Pakistani forces reportedly conducted cross-border strikes.

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Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have urged restraint, warning that escalating tensions could further destabilise an already fragile region. The situation remains particularly sensitive as extremist groups, such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida, are attempting to re-establish footholds across the region.

“As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha,” Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, adding that the Kabul team led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob had arrived in Doha.

Talks could be extended

Pakistan’s foreign office said Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif would lead discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban.

“The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border,” it said.

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It was not immediately clear how long the talks would last. Officials on both sides have said they could be extended from Saturday, adding senior intelligence officials from both countries were part of the talks.

The ground fighting between the one-time allies and Pakistani airstrikes across their contested 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier were triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in militants who had stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operated from havens in Afghanistan.

The Taliban denies giving haven to militants to attack Pakistan and accuses the Pakistani military of spreading misinformation about Afghanistan and sheltering Islamic State-linked militants to undermine its stability and sovereignty. Islamabad denies the accusations.

Militants have been waging a war for years against the Pakistani state in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with their strict brand of Islamic governance system.

On Friday, a suicide attack near the border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded 13, security officials said.

“The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan,” the Pakistan Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, said on Saturday, addressing a graduation ceremony of cadets.

With inputs from agencies