Immediate terror elimination key to Pak-Afghan border peace: Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the primary objective of the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan is to eliminate the menace of terrorism, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Khawaja Asif said terrorism has been affecting at border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan for years. He said both countries have reached the conclusion that immediate elimination of terrorism is essential. He said the two countries will make serious efforts to curb terrorism, otherwise, regional peace could face serious threats.

Khawaja Asif said another meeting will be held next week in Istanbul to finalize the details of the agreement.

He said the Afghan Defence Minister acknowledged that terrorism is the main reason behind the tensions in our relations, which will now be addressed. He hoped that peace will now return, and relations will normalize between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

As a result, Pakistan-Afghanistan trade and transit will also resume, and Afghanistan will be able to use Pakistani ports.

Also Read: Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to truce in Qatar talks

In an X post soon after signing agreement with Afghanistan, Khawaja Asif wrote: “Cross-border terrorism from Afghan territory will cease immediately and both countries will respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Asif further confirmed a “follow-up meeting between the delegations is scheduled to take place in the Turkish city of Istanbul on October 25 to discuss the matters in detail.”

پاکستان اور افغانستان کے مابین سیز فائر کا معاہدہ طے پاگیا۔ پاکستان کی سرزمین پہ افغانستان سے دھشت گردی کا سلسلہ فی الفور بند ھوگا۔ دونوں ھمسایہ ملک ایک دوسرے کی سرزمین کا احترام کریں گے الحمدوللہ
25اکتوبر کو استنبول میں دوبارہ وفود میں ملاقات ھو گی۔ اور تفصیلی معاملات بات ھوگی۔… pic.twitter.com/OKNbRuXEPU

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) October 18, 2025

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the truce was “the first step in the right direction”.

“We look forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism, in the next meeting to be hosted by Turkiye, to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan. It is important to put all efforts in place to prevent any further loss of lives,” he posted on X.

Welcome the Agreement finalized late last night in Doha. It is the first step in the right direction.

Deeply appreciate the constructive role played by brotherly Qatar and Turkiye.

We look forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism, in the…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 19, 2025