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Saudi Arabia welcomes Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire, praises mediation by Qatar and Turkiye
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace, expressing hope that the truce would help de-escalate tensions along the shared border.
Saudi Arabia has welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between Afghanistan and Pakistan, following a week of deadly cross-border clashes that left dozens of civilians dead, including three young Afghan cricketers.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, the Kingdom commended the mediation efforts of Qatar and Turkiye, which facilitated the talks in Doha leading to the agreement. The ceasefire includes an immediate halt to hostilities and the creation of mechanisms aimed at ensuring long-term peace and stability between the two neighbours.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s welcome of the signing by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan of an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the statement read.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace, expressing hope that the truce would help de-escalate tensions along the shared border. “The Kingdom affirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its continued commitment to ensuring security that achieves stability and prosperity for the brotherly peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the statement added.
The ceasefire was announced late Saturday by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough. The talks in Doha, co-mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, ended with both sides agreeing not only to halt violence but also to hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the truce’s sustainability.
According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, both countries committed to establishing “reliable and sustainable mechanisms” to monitor and verify the ceasefire’s implementation and to build towards long-term peace.
The Doha meeting followed a series of deadly Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, which killed at least 17 people, including three domestic cricket players, and injured several others. Afghan officials condemned the attacks as violations of national sovereignty, while Pakistan said its actions were in response to cross-border militant activity.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Ishaq Dar, also welcomed the ceasefire, confirming that the next round of talks will be hosted by Turkiye. He said the discussions would focus on establishing a “concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism” to prevent future escalations.
The ceasefire, welcomed by the United Nations and several regional powers, is seen as a critical step toward de-escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, whose border areas have witnessed repeated violence in recent months.
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IEA should respond to Pakistan’s security concerns with concrete actions: Andrabi
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi says both Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan, who visited Islamabad on Thursday, expressed their mutual commitment to a peaceful, stable Afghanistan with a sustainable future for the Afghan people.
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Andrabi stated that both sides agreed that the Islamic Emirate must fulfill its obligations toward the international community and take concrete steps against terrorist groups to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.
This comes while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly emphasized that no terrorist groups operate from Afghan territory and that it will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any country.
The Islamic Emirate has also stated that Pakistan’s security concerns are an internal issue of that country, and Pakistan itself must take measures to prevent any security incidents.
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Malaysia’s PM calls peaceful solution to Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced deep concern over escalating tensions between the Afghanistan–Pakistan during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Anwar said he emphasized Malaysia’s concerns regarding regional stability and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
His remarks follow media reports indicating heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a series of attacks in October.
During the call, the two leaders also exchanged views on several aspects of Malaysia–Pakistan bilateral relations.
Anwar also briefed Sharif on the ongoing flood situation in Malaysia and similar challenges facing neighboring countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.
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Afghanistan makes major strides in cutting drug trafficking, says Putin
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Afghanistan has taken “active and effective” steps to curb drug trafficking, noting a significant drop in opium production across the country. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with India Today during his India trip, highlighting what he described as “visible progress” in Afghanistan’s internal security efforts.
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders. He added that Afghanistan has also made important advancements in the fight against terrorism.
Responding to a question about why Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate, the Russian president said Afghanistan had been engulfed in civil conflict for many years, but the current authorities now hold control over the country. “This is the reality, and it must be acknowledged,” Putin emphasized.
He further noted that maintaining contact with Afghanistan’s leadership is crucial for shaping events inside the country. “If you want influence, you must engage with the people in charge — and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Putin’s remarks come as several regional powers continue to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on stability, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.
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