A temporary ceasefire has been reached at the initiative of Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia
Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a simultaneous cessation of hostilities, with a temporary ceasefire agreement reached at the request of Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia ahead of the Muslim holiday, as reported by RBC.
The official statement regarding the ceasefire was made by Zabihullah Mujahid, a representative of the Afghan government, via the social network X.
Pakistan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar also confirmed the temporary suspension of hostilities against Afghanistan. He noted that this decision was made at the initiative of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, and the ceasefire will be in effect from the night of March 19 until midnight on March 24.
The reason for the temporary ceasefire is the upcoming Islamic holiday of Orozo (Eid al-Fitr), which will be celebrated on the night of March 19-20.
For reference, the military operation of Afghanistan against Pakistan began in late February 2026 in response to actions from Islamabad.
The escalation of tensions between the two countries occurred in early 2026 when Pakistani military forces carried out airstrikes on Afghan territory, targeting Taliban positions. Kabul officials claim that the strikes hit residential homes and a religious school, resulting in dozens of casualties, including women and children.
Since 1947, when Pakistan became independent after the partition of British India, the two countries have continued to dispute the border. The Durand Line, stretching 2,600 km, was established in a 1893 agreement between Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman Khan and British representative Mortimer Durand. Islamabad does not contest this line; however, Kabul considers it colonial and claims that it severed Afghanistan from historically Pashtun territories. No Afghan government has recognized the border along the Durand Line.
photo www
