Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime have agreed to maintain a ceasefire agreed upon earlier this month, announced Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
Noting the two sides had held a series of meetings in Istanbul from Oct. 25-30, it said the talks aimed to solidify the ceasefire mediated by Turkiye and Qatar in Doha on Oct. 18-19. “All parties have agreed on continuation of ceasefire,” it said. “Further modalities of the implementation will be discussed and decided in a principal level meeting in Istanbul on Nov. 6, 2025,” it added.
“All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure maintenance of peace and imposing penalty on the violating party,” it said.
Both mediators expressed their appreciation for the active contribution of both parties, adding they were ready to continue cooperation with both sides for lasting peace and stability.
The statement followed a last-minute attempt to revive talks after they collapsed following four days of dialogue that failed to achieve any major breakthrough. The core sticking point, per sources, remains the Afghan Taliban’s unwillingness to commit to actions against the TTP in writing.
“[We] hope terrorist actions will no longer take place,” said Information Minister Attaullah Tarar in a statement. He reiterated that the Taliban regime must ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan, adding the ceasefire agreement includes a provision for Taliban operations against “Fitna al-Khawarij,” i.e. the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“Pakistan will now have a new forum to present evidence of cross-border terrorism,” he said, adding any decision on reopening the Pak-Afghan border would be taken later.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry similarly declared the extension in the ceasefire a victory for Pakistan’s principled stance, while urging the Taliban regime against becoming a proxy for India.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Kabul seeks good ties with all neighboring countries, including Pakistan “and remains committed to relations based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and not posing a threat to any side.”
Pakistan has been in the midst or resurgent terrorism, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban to block terrorist groups from using their soil to stage attacks against Pakistan. In response, the Taliban have maintained the TTP is an internal problem of Pakistan.
On Oct. 12, the Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing along the border, prompting retaliation from Pakistan. The clash resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, as well as the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani soldiers.
Pakistan’s retaliation also included airstrikes inside Afghanistan, including Kabul, aimed at destroying terrorists’ hideouts in the country.
On Oct. 17, both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire following talks in Doha. Amidst the ceasefire, the Pak-Afghan border remains closed for all traffic, with traders lamenting the prolonged closure is inflicting economic losses on them.