Pakistan and Afghanistan Announce Ceasefire on the Same Day

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Pakistan, Huang Xiaona] Afghan government spokesman Mujahid stated on social media on the evening of the 18th that the Afghan government has suspended military operations against Pakistan during the Eid al-Fitr period. On the same day, Pakistan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Talal also issued a statement on social media saying that Pakistan will cease attacks on Afghanistan during Eid al-Fitr. The international community generally welcomed the temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, but some media analyses suggest that whether the situation can truly de-escalate after the Eid holiday remains questionable.

According to Talal, Pakistan made the decision for a temporary ceasefire partly due to the approaching Eid al-Fitr and partly at the request of countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. Talal also stated that during the ceasefire, if any cross-border attacks, drone strikes, or terrorist incidents occur within Pakistan, the Pakistani side's "Operation Justified Fury" will be restored with greater intensity.

After Talal's statement, Mujahid also announced the ceasefire on social media, stating that this decision by the Afghan side was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. Mujahid emphasized that defending Afghanistan is a "national and religious duty," and the country will respond to any aggression or threats.

It is understood that Afghanistan's Eid al-Fitr begins on the evening of the 19th, while Pakistan's Eid al-Fitr is expected to start on the 21st. Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr lasts for three days. Talal stated that Pakistan has already ceased fire since midnight on the 18th, and the pause in military operations will last until midnight on the 23rd.

The Afghan Pajhwok News Agency reported that after both Afghanistan and Pakistan made the ceasefire decisions, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait welcomed the temporary ceasefire. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference on the 19th that China welcomes the agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on a temporary ceasefire.

The CEO of Pakistan's "National Media Group," Noreen, told a special correspondent from the Global Times that the Pakistani side's expression of the ceasefire date is very precise, and the hardline statements and "war of words" between Pakistan and Afghanistan are still ongoing, with India occasionally speaking on behalf of Afghanistan. The complex and severe situation is merely on "pause" and has not fundamentally eased.