Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Islamabad is ready to hold dialogue with Afghanistan to ease ongoing border tensions, as a fragile ceasefire continues following days of intense fighting between the two countries. The clashes, the worst in decades, erupted after Pakistan launched airstrikes across the frontier, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. A 48-hour truce was implemented on Wednesday, providing temporary relief to the region.
Sharif told his cabinet that Pakistan had “retaliated” after losing patience over repeated militant attacks allegedly originating from Afghan territory. He emphasized that Pakistan remains open to dialogue “on valid conditions” and that the “ball is in Afghanistan’s court.” However, he warned that if Kabul used the ceasefire merely to “buy time,” Islamabad would not tolerate it.
Kabul has yet to officially respond to Sharif’s remarks. Afghan defence ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi confirmed that the ceasefire remains intact, while the Taliban’s Interior Minister Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani expressed a desire for positive relations with all neighbours, urging mutual respect for sovereignty.
The conflict escalated after Pakistan accused Afghanistan of harbouring militants responsible for increased attacks within its borders. The Taliban dismissed the accusations, countering that Islamabad spreads misinformation and shelters ISIS-linked fighters to destabilize Afghanistan. The United Nations reported that at least 18 civilians were killed and more than 360 injured in Afghanistan since October 10.
In Kabul’s Taimani district, airstrike victims described scenes of devastation. Residents spoke of powerful blasts that destroyed buildings and left the streets covered in dust and debris. Hospitals reported dozens of patients suffering from fractures, burns, and shrapnel injuries. As both nations weigh their next moves, the ceasefire remains a tenuous lifeline amid fears of renewed conflict.