Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend a ceasefire after talks in Istanbul aimed at easing tensions following some of the worst border clashes between the neighbours in years.
The truce, initially declared on 19 October after weeks of violence that left dozens dead, came after Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghan territory targeting Pakistani Taliban militants.
Turkey’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that both sides held “constructive” discussions and will return to Istanbul on 6 November to finalise a joint mechanism to monitor the ceasefire and impose penalties on any violators.
The talks, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, had stalled earlier in the week. Afghan state media accused Pakistan of making “unreasonable demands”, while Islamabad has not commented publicly on the negotiations.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the extension of the ceasefire and said Kabul sought “good relations with Pakistan based on mutual respect and non-interference”.
The renewed truce follows rising tensions between the two nations over militant activity along their shared border and Pakistan’s accusations that Afghan soil has been used to launch attacks—claims the Taliban deny.