Pakistan and Taliban Hold Doha Talks to Ease Border Tensions and Restore Ceasefire

Photo File (X/Twitter) / Doha Talks to Ease Border Tensions

High-level delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government convened in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday in an effort to de-escalate the recent surge in deadly border clashes. The meeting, facilitated by Qatari officials, brought together Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Afghanistan’s Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, marking a crucial attempt to restore calm along the volatile Durand Line.

The talks come in the wake of intense cross-border fighting that claimed dozens of lives, including civilians and three Afghan cricketers, after a brief ceasefire collapsed earlier this week. Pakistan has demanded concrete action against militant factions, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of launching attacks from Afghan territory.

For their part, Taliban representatives reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and urged adherence to previous understandings between the two sides. They also emphasized the need for mutual restraint and diplomatic dialogue to prevent further escalation.

Qatari mediators expressed hope that the negotiations would lead to a longer-term ceasefire framework, reducing tensions and fostering regional stability. The outcome of the talks is expected to shape the next phase of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have been strained by recurring security incidents and mutual mistrust since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.