ISLAMABAD: Despite the official expiration of the 3-day ceasefire on March 24, Pakistan and Afghanistan have reportedly maintained a tacit pause in hostilities with both sides continue to honour the informal agreement reached during the China-mediated peace talks in Urumqi.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi has confirmed that any channel for peace remains open, stating, “Yes, the days-long Urumqi talks are over. Our delegation is back. And obviously, our delegation, the Afghanistan Division in Foreign Office are working on the follow up of these meetings,” he told a weekly media briefing at the ministry of foreign affairs (MOFA) on Thursday.
In view of the Eid-ul-Fitr, upon its own initiative as well as on the request from the brotherly Islamic countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, the Government of Pakistan had announced temporary pause amidst ongoing “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” against the terrorists and their support infrastructure in Afghanistan.
The pause had started from midnight 18/ 19 March 2026 to midnight 23/24 March 2026. Pakistan offered this gesture in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms.
However, Pakistan had clarified that, in case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” shall immediately resume with renewed intensity.
During the holy month of Ramadan In February 2026, Pakistan experienced multiple major attacks, including a checkpost attack in Bajaur that killed 11 soldiers and a child. Since then, no major terrorist incident has been reported involving Afghan soil or linking with TTP or ISKP, revealed a source.
Two horrific terror attacks on Islamabad district courts and imambargah were also carried out from across the border. Throughout 2025, which saw a 34% surge in violence, Pakistan reported that “Afghans were found involved in all 10 major terrorist incidents.
FO spokesperson said the underlying principle of our approach towards Afghanistan is a simple fact that they need to uphold their commitments made in Doha and under international law – not to allow their territory to be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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