Reuters: Afghanistan, Pakistan hold new talks to maintain ceasefire

Afghanistan’s Taliban administration and Pakistan have conducted new peace talks in Saudi Arabia, agreeing to uphold a ceasefire as part of efforts to ease tensions between the neighbouring countries.

The discussions took place under a Saudi initiative, three Afghan and two Pakistani officials, including one based in Istanbul, told Reuters.

Representatives from Pakistan’s military, intelligence agencies, and foreign office attended the talks.

Both sides confirmed their commitment to maintaining the ceasefire.

"We are open to more meetings to see a positive outcome, " a senior Afghan Taliban official said.

Islamabad has long accused militants operating from Afghan soil of carrying out attacks in Pakistan, while Kabul has repeatedly rejected calls to act against them. The Taliban insist that Afghan territory is not used by Pakistani militants.

Pakistani authorities reported that recent suicide attacks, including one in Islamabad that killed 12 people, were carried out by Afghan nationals.

October border clashes between the two militaries resulted in dozens of deaths, marking the deadliest confrontation along the border since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021.

Although both sides signed a ceasefire in Doha in October, follow-up talks in Istanbul last month ended without a lasting agreement.

Pakistan sought a written commitment from Kabul to take action against anti-Pakistan militants, but the Taliban responded that it cannot be expected to guarantee security in Pakistan.

By Jeyhun Aghazada