Saudi Arabia has officially welcomed the immediate ceasefire agreement between 🇵🇰 Pakistan and 🇦🇫 Afghanistan, calling it a “positive step” toward enduring peace. The ceasefire was reached on Sunday during high-level talks in Doha, brokered by Qatar and Turkiye, after several days of intense border clashes that claimed dozens of lives. Dawn
In a statement released by the Saudi Foreign Ministry, Riyadh expressed its “full support for all regional and international efforts aimed at peace and stability” and stressed its commitment to the security and prosperity of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. saudigazette Saudi Arabia also commended the mediating roles played by Qatar and Turkiye.
The violence that triggered the ceasefire started around October 11, when Afghan forces reportedly attacked Pakistani border posts. Pakistan said 23 of its troops were martyred, while over 200 militants from the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan and affiliated groups were killed in retaliatory operations. Dawn Reuters
As part of the ceasefire, both sides also agreed to meet again for negotiations in Istanbul on October 25, where they will discuss mechanisms for monitoring and ensuring compliance. The Express Tribune
Why it matters for Pakistan:
- A ceasefire offers a chance to de-escalate a long-standing security challenge along the 2,600 km Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
- Saudi involvement underscores Islamabad’s strategic alliances and adds diplomatic weight to the agreement.
- The follow-up talks create a pathway toward institutionalising peace and addressing root causes, including militant sanctuaries.
Next steps:
To make the ceasefire sustainable, Islamabad and Kabul will need to:
- Establish independent monitoring mechanisms.
- Ensure militant groups such as TTP cannot exploit Afghan territory for attacks inside Pakistan.
- Renew border-management protocols and reopen critical trade routes disrupted by the conflict.
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