Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the primary goal of the ceasefire agreement with the Taliban is to eliminate terrorism, which has long destabilised border regions. He said both sides had committed to making “serious efforts” to curb militant activity.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Asif said Pakistan and the Taliban had agreed to establish joint mechanisms to address security concerns and prevent future clashes. He thanked the Emir of Qatar and the President of Türkiye for their diplomatic efforts in mediating the ceasefire.
Referring to the recent surge in border tensions, Asif said both countries recognised that tackling terrorism is vital for regional peace and stability. He added that the Afghan Taliban also view terrorism as the key source of friction and have pledged to take practical steps to address it. He added that the involvement of Qatar and Türkiye serves as a guarantee of the credibility of this agreement.
Asif noted that Pakistan has endured heavy human and economic losses due to terrorism but expressed hope that the ceasefire would pave the way for peace and stability. The agreement, he said, would also help normalise trade and transit relations between the two neighbours.
He announced that Afghanistan would again be allowed to use Pakistan’s ports for trade, while Afghan refugees holding valid documents and visas would be permitted to remain in Pakistan. Those without documentation, however, would continue to be repatriated.
The minister stressed that the Pakistan–Afghanistan border must be managed “in an orderly manner and in accordance with international standards.”
Asif cautioned that it was too early to declare full satisfaction with the agreement.
