Doha Talks Begin After Deadly Afghan–Pakistan Clashes
Senior delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan met in Doha after a week of deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and forced thousands to flee border villages.
Afghan and Pakistani negotiators convened in Qatar on Saturday following the worst bout of cross-border violence since 2021, with dozens reported dead and hundreds injured. The agenda centers on halting cross-border attacks and stabilizing the frontier as both sides trade accusations over militant safe havens.
Ceasefire Extension And Fresh Strikes
Officials said the 48-hour truce was prolonged to create space for talks, yet Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of breaking it with airstrikes that killed at least 10 people. Islamabad said its operations targeted a faction linked to the Pakistani Taliban after a deadly attack on its forces.
Who’s At The Table In Doha
Pakistan’s delegation includes Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and senior intelligence officials; Kabul’s side is led by top security chiefs. The foreign ministries said discussions aim at “immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism” and restore calm along the 2,600-km border.
Civilian Casualties and Diplomatic Fallout
Afghan officials reported civilian casualties from strikes, while Pakistan’s information and military officials claimed “precision” hits and high militant tolls; independent verification is limited. Afghanistan also withdrew from a November T20 tri-series in Pakistan after three local cricketers were killed in Paktika.
Sticking Points And External Mediation
A central dispute remains Kabul’s alleged sheltering of anti-Pakistan groups—an allegation the Taliban rejects as “misinformation.” Qatar is facilitating the meetings as Washington and regional partners signal support for de-escalation. w“The regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan,” Pakistan’s army chief said.