Saudi Arabia has welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, expressing strong support for all diplomatic initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region.
The ceasefire announcement follows a week of intense border clashes—the most severe between the two countries since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021. The conflict, marked by ground fighting and Pakistani airstrikes, erupted after Islamabad accused Kabul of harboring militants involved in cross-border attacks. Afghanistan has denied these allegations, leading to heightened tensions along their shared 2,600-kilometer border.
According to official reports, the truce was reached after talks in Doha on Sunday, with both sides agreeing to halt hostilities and establish mechanisms for long-term peace. The parties are expected to reconvene on October 25 in Istanbul to continue discussions on border management and counterterrorism cooperation. The clashes have already resulted in dozens of casualties and hundreds of injuries, underscoring the urgency of a durable resolution.
In an official statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the agreement between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan on an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to entrench peace and lasting stability between the two countries during the round of negotiations held in Doha.”
The statement reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to “supporting all regional and international efforts aimed at consolidating peace and stability,” and emphasized its ongoing dedication to “initiatives that promote stability and prosperity for the brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.”
Saudi Arabia also lauded the diplomatic mediation by Qatar and Turkiye, both of which played instrumental roles in facilitating dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul. Riyadh described the development as a “positive step” toward reducing tensions along the border and preventing further escalation.
Saudi Arabia, which maintains close ties with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long advocated for cooperation to ensure security and economic progress across South and Central Asia. The Kingdom’s latest statement aligns with its broader foreign policy of promoting regional harmony and preventing instability from spreading across neighboring territories.
As Pakistan and Afghanistan prepare for the next round of talks in Istanbul, observers remain cautiously optimistic that this ceasefire could mark a turning point in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing border security in the long run.