Pakistan and Afghanistan announce Eid 'pause' in hostilities
The Hindu
Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to a temporary ceasefire for Eid celebrations amid escalating conflict and recent deadly strikes.
Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) announced a halt in fighting during celebrations for the end of Ramadan, after the deadliest strike in their escalating conflict killed hundreds in Kabul earlier this week.
The governments in Islamabad and Kabul said in separate statements that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye had requested a pause in fighting over Eid al-Fitr and both agreed.
Cross-border attacks have intensified since last month and Pakistan accuses the Taliban authorities of shielding extremists behind attacks on its territory. Afghanistan denies doing so.
On Monday night (March 16), Pakistani jets struck a drug rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital, prompting fresh calls for an immediate end to attacks and talks to end the bloodshed.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said the government agreed to a halt to its operations from Thursday (March 19) to Monday (March 23) “in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms”.
Taliban Government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said defending Afghanistan was “a national and religious obligation” and they would respond to any aggression or threat.
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