High-level delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan met in Doha on October 18–19 2025 under the mediation of Qatar to de-escalate a week of deadly cross-border violence. Reuters Al Jazeera While there was cautious optimism, the talks exposed deep mistrust: Pakistan pressed Kabul to hand over precise coordinates of Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts, and the Afghan side sought details confirming the claims. Dawn
According to Pakistan’s foreign office statement, Islamabad urged the Taliban-led Afghan government to live up to its commitments and stop its territory from being used to launch attacks. Dawn In response, Kabul signalled willingness to cooperate—but also warned that expecting a full shutdown of TTP operations was “unrealistic”. Dawn
The talks followed one of the worst upsurges in border violence since 2021, involving suicide bombings, air-strikes, and the destruction of military posts. The Guardian To restore calm, both sides agreed to an immediate cease-fire, brokered by Qatar and Turkey. Reuters
Yet, the deal remains fragile. Observers warn that unless the mechanisms to monitor compliance are effective and the underlying issues – like militant sanctuaries, intelligence cooperation, and border management – are addressed, the truce could collapse. Kurdistan24
For Pakistan, the stakes are high: ensuring its security and sovereignty while avoiding escalation with its neighbour. For Afghanistan, the challenge is balancing its international standing, internal pressures, and the Taliban’s own constraints. The Qatar-mediated dialogue may offer hope—but only time will show if this is the start of a genuine breakthrough. Dawn
