Sources say the extension was granted following a formal request from the Afghan Taliban regime
Pakistani soldiers stand guard next to newly fenced border fence along the Afghan Paktika provincial border in Angoor Adda in South Waziristan. Photo: AFP)
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Friday to extend their 48-hour ceasefire until the conclusion of planned talks in Doha, according to three Pakistani security officials and an Afghan Taliban source.
A Pakistani delegation has already reached Doha, while an Afghan delegation is expected to reach the Qatari capital on Saturday, the sources said, Reuters reported on Friday.
Diplomatic sources have confirmed that the temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has been extended at Kabul’s request after the initial 48-hour ceasefire expired on Friday.
Read more: Pakistan accepts Afghan Taliban regime’s request for 48-hour ceasefire
According to the sources, the extension was granted following a formal request by the Afghan Taliban government, which had earlier sought the short-term pause to ease tensions along the border.
They added that high-level talks between the two sides are expected to begin on Saturday to discuss mechanisms for de-escalation and future cooperation.
As the ceasefire deadline approached, the State Department described the situation as “delicate”. “We are in a temporary ceasefire, we are trying to work towards a diplomatic track to make it sustainable and for the long-term stability of the relationship – that is a bigger goal for us,” spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said at a weekly press briefing.
Also read: Taliban regime not ‘true representatives’ of Afghan people: Foreign Office
“But beyond that I am unable to share any information with you,” he added.
A temporary ceasefire between the neighbors on Wednesday put a pause in days of fierce fighting that killed dozens and wounded hundreds.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday: “For the ceasefire to continue, the ball is in the court of the Taliban government, while adding that New Delhi was involved in the confrontation.” He said: “If within 48 hours they want to resolve issues and address our genuine demands, then we are ready for them.”
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM REUTERS.
