Eid peace breakthrough: Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to ceasefire

Kabul (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan and Afghanistan announced a "temporary ceasefire" in hostilities on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. The move followed appeals from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. However, tensions remain high after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of a deadly attack that killed more than 100 people.

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar made the announcement on the social media platform X, but just hours later, fresh airstrikes were recorded near the border on alleged Taliban positions. Tarar said that Pakistan, on its own initiative and at the request of brotherly Islamic countries Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, had decided to declare a temporary pause in Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, taking into account Eid al-Fitr.

Tarar clarified that this pause would be in effect "from midnight of March 18/19 to midnight of March 23/24." However, he added that operations would be immediately resumed in the event of any cross-border attack, drone strike, or terrorist incident in Pakistan.

Shortly after Pakistan's announcement, Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that Afghan security and defense forces would also halt defensive operations during the Eid period in response to similar appeals from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. He warned that Afghanistan would not hesitate to respond immediately if provoked, saying that Afghanistan would "courageously respond to any aggression in the face of any threat."

The ceasefire announcement comes a day after the Taliban-led administration accused Pakistan of carrying out a deadly attack in Kabul. Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat alleged that the bombing targeted a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul on Monday night, killing at least 400 people and wounding about 250. A mass funeral was held in Afghanistan on Wednesday for those killed in the attack, which drew widespread global attention and condemnation.

Afghanistan's Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani called the attack "an extremely despicable and despicable act against humanity and Islamic principles," Tolo News reported. Despite the temporary ceasefire, the situation remains tense, with both sides signaling readiness to respond if there is further escalation.