KEY POINTS
- Pakistan and Afghan Taliban begin 48-hour truce after deadly border clashes
- China calls for restraint and offers to play constructive role
- Russia, Turkiye, and Iran urge dialogue and regional stability
- UN presses both sides to protect civilians amid fragile calm
ISLAMABAD: Major world powers, including China, Russia, Turkiye, and Iran on Thursday welcomed the 48-hour ceasefire agreed between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, urging restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement.
The temporal ceasefire was reached after a week of intense border clashes that left dozens dead and wounded on both sides. Islamabad stated that Pakistani forces responded in self-defence in retaliation for the aggression initiated by the Afghan side.
At a regular briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing “notes the agreement reached between Pakistan and Afghanistan and welcomes efforts by both sides to manage differences through consultation and political settlement.”
He added that China “is ready to play a constructive role in advancing peace and stability in the region,” according to an official transcript released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office earlier announced that Islamabad and the Taliban-led Afghan government had agreed to suspend hostilities from 6 p.m. Wednesday, based on mutual understanding and at Kabul’s request.
The ministry said both sides would “sincerely explore peaceful solutions to a complex but solvable issue” during the truce period.
Afghan Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, in a post on social media platform X, confirmed that Afghan forces had been ordered to observe the ceasefire “unless provoked,” describing it as a step toward de-escalation.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk both welcomed the truce, urging both countries to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian obligations.
In Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on Islamabad and Kabul to “exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.”
Russian state media quoted officials as warning that continued border instability risked undermining broader regional security.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry, in a separate statement, reaffirmed Ankara’s “support for Pakistan’s efforts toward peace and stability” and encouraged both governments to prioritise dialogue under regional cooperation frameworks.
Iran also welcomed the truce, with its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei calling for “dialogue and diplomacy” to prevent further escalation and offering Tehran’s readiness to assist in maintaining calm between the “two neighbouring Muslim countries.”
Earlier, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that its forces repelled a separate cross-border assault in Balochistan by Afghan Taliban fighters, killing about 15–20 militants.
It was the third major confrontation within a week, following earlier incidents in Kurram and other tribal districts.
Islamabad has reiterated its right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism and again urged Kabul to prevent the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghan soil for attacks.
The Taliban administration has denied these allegations, maintaining that “no operations are launched from Afghan territory.”
Diplomatic observers quoted by Reuters and Anadolu Agency said the temporary ceasefire marks a rare pause in tensions that have strained Pakistan-Afghanistan relations for months, warning that sustaining calm will require “genuine political will” on both sides.
