Pakistan has extended the ongoing ceasefire with Afghanistan at the request of the Afghan interim government, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The ceasefire, initially declared for 48 hours, was set to expire at 6 p.m. today but has now been prolonged until the conclusion of the ongoing Doha negotiations. According to diplomatic sources, the Taliban regime conveyed its request for an extension through Qatar.
Security officials disclosed that elements of Fitna al-Khawarij attempted to exploit the temporary ceasefire to infiltrate Pakistani territory. However, the Pakistan Army foiled the attempt in a swift and precise counter-operation.
“In a successful intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Mohmand, the Pakistan Army neutralised 45 to 50 militants belonging to the outlawed Khawarij network,” security sources confirmed. Several other militants were reported injured during the engagement, which targeted a major formation of the group.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on the repatriation of Afghan refugees. The session was attended by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, federal ministers, chief ministers of the provinces, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was represented by Muzzammil Aslam in the absence of its chief minister.
The Prime Minister reiterated that all provincial governments and institutions must work together to ensure the swift and safe return of Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan. “The recent attacks launched from across the border and the infiltration attempts by Khawarij elements are deeply concerning,” he remarked.
Pakistan’s extension of the ceasefire comes amid rising tensions following cross-border militant incursions and ongoing regional talks aimed at DE-escalation.
