Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend their fragile ceasefire for another week following high-stakes diplomatic talks in Turkiye, according to an announcement from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The extension aims to prevent renewed border clashes after a series of deadly confrontations earlier this month left hundreds dead on both sides. The new agreement is seen as a tentative step toward restoring stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, one of the most volatile frontiers in South Asia.

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Ceasefire Extension Brokered in Istanbul

The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that delegations from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkiye, and Qatar met in Istanbul and agreed to maintain the existing truce until at least November 6, 2025.

“All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure the maintenance of peace and impose penalties on any violating party,” the joint statement said.

Diplomats said a higher-level meeting will be held in Istanbul on November 6 to finalize the mechanisms for implementing the ceasefire and discuss long-term measures to reduce cross-border hostilities.

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Recent Escalations Along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border

The ceasefire follows one of the most serious flare-ups between the two nations since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in 2021. Earlier this month, border clashes erupted after a series of explosions in Afghanistan’s Khost province, which Kabul blamed on Pakistan.

In response, the Pakistani military launched cross-border strikes, claiming to have killed more than 200 Afghan fighters, while Afghan officials said 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory attacks.

The violence severely strained diplomatic ties and halted all cross-border trade, affecting thousands of traders and transport workers on both sides of the 2,600-kilometre (1,600-mile) border.

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Mediation by Turkiye and Qatar Leads to Breakthrough

The original truce was signed in Doha on October 19 following mediation by Turkiye and Qatar, both of which have maintained close diplomatic ties with the Taliban government and Pakistan.

However, talks in Istanbul broke down earlier this week when both sides failed to agree on Pakistan’s key demand that Afghanistan take stronger action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — also known as the Pakistan Taliban — an armed group that Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering.

Afghanistan has denied these accusations, insisting that it does not allow its territory to be used against any neighboring country.

After negotiations resumed Thursday, both sides agreed to extend the ceasefire and continue discussions. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the development, saying both countries had “agreed to maintain the truce and work toward lasting peace.”

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Economic Toll Mounts as Border Remains Closed

Despite the ceasefire, the border remains closed for trade and transport, leading to growing losses for traders on both sides.

In Kandahar, Afghan textile trader Nazir Ahmed told AFP that prolonged closures were devastating local businesses:

“Our nation is tired, and their nation is also tired. Both countries will bear losses.”

In the Pakistani border town of Chaman, spare parts trader Abdul Jabbar echoed similar frustration.

“Trade suffers greatly. Both countries face losses — both are Islamic nations. We need peace to survive,” he said.

The closure of key crossings such as Torkham, Chaman, and Ghulam Khan has disrupted the movement of goods and people, worsening economic conditions already strained by political instability and inflation.

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A Fragile Peace and Regional Stakes

Analysts warn that the current truce is fragile and could collapse if underlying issues remain unresolved — particularly Pakistan’s demands regarding TTP operations and Afghanistan’s insistence on sovereignty.

Experts also note that Turkiye and Qatar’s mediation underscores growing international efforts to prevent another prolonged conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

For now, both Islamabad and Kabul appear committed to maintaining dialogue and avoiding another escalation. Whether the November 6 talks will yield a durable peace remains uncertain, but the agreement offers a rare moment of cautious optimism in a region long plagued by distrust and violence.