Sources say extension was granted following a formal request from the Afghan Taliban regime
Pakistani soldiers keep vigil next to newly fenced border fencing along with Afghan’s Paktika province border in Angoor Adda in South Waziristan. Photo: AFP)
Pakistan and Afghanistan mutually agreed on Friday to extend their 48-hour ceasefire until conclusion of planned talks in Doha, according to three Pakistani security officials and one Afghan Taliban source.
Diplomatic sources have confirmed that the temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban has been extended at Kabul’s request, after the initial 48-hour truce expired at 6pm on Friday.
According to the sources, the extension was granted following a formal request from the Afghan Taliban government, which had earlier sought the short-term pause to ease tensions along the border.
Read More: Pakistan accepts Afghan Taliban regime’s request for 48-hour ceasefire
They added that high-level negotiations between the two sides are expected to begin on Saturday to discuss mechanisms for de-escalation and future cooperation.
As the ceasefire deadline was approaching, foreign office 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 to the long-term stability of the relationship — that is a larger objective to us,” spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said at a weekly press briefing.
“But beyond that, I am not in a position to share any information with you,” he added.
Read More: Pakistan accepts Afghan Taliban regime’s request for 48-hour ceasefire
A temporary truce between the neighbours on Wednesday paused days of fierce fighting that killed dozens and wounded hundreds.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday, “For the truce to continue, the ball is in the court of Taliban government while adding that New Delhi was involved in the confrontation.” He said, “If in 48 hours they want to resolve issues and address our genuine demands, then we are ready for them.”
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM REUTERS.
