ISTANBUL – Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend their ceasefire agreement following peace talks held in Istanbul, Turkiye.
The talks, which took place from October 25 to 30, 2025, were mediated by Turkiye and Qatar and aimed at solidifying the truce that was initially brokered in Doha earlier this month.
According to a joint statement released at the conclusion of the talks, representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Qatar convened to discuss ways to reinforce the ceasefire that was agreed upon on October 18-19, 2025, under the mediation of Qatar and Turkey.
The statement confirmed that all parties involved had reached a consensus on continuing the ceasefire and committed to further deliberations on its implementation during a high-level meeting scheduled for November 6, 2025.
Additionally, the statement outlined plans to establish a monitoring and verification system designed to ensure the continuous implementation of the peace agreement. The system will hold any party that violates the terms of the ceasefire accountable, imposing sanctions as necessary.
The joint communiqué also praised the active participation of both sides and reiterated the commitment of Turkey and Qatar to foster sustainable peace and stability in the region. The mediators expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the talks and vowed to continue supporting efforts for lasting peace.
Despite earlier setbacks, including the failure of talks on the previous day, the negotiations resumed today following a request from the host country, Turkey. Initially, the Pakistani delegation had been preparing to return home, but upon Turkey’s request, Pakistan agreed to resume talks with the Afghan Taliban.
Reports indicated that the Pakistani delegation decided to give peace another opportunity, emphasizing that the negotiations would once again focus on Pakistan’s central demand: clear, verifiable, and effective actions against terrorists in Afghanistan.
