In a dramatic turn, Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government announced a 48-hour ceasefire starting at 6 pm local time on Wednesday, amid escalating violence and regional tensions. 

This agreement came after heavy exchanges along the volatile frontier, especially in the Kandahar and Chaman borders, where airstrikes and mortar fire reportedly killed civilians. Islamabad’s foreign ministry framed the pause as a chance for “sincere efforts” to reach a positive resolution to what it called a “complex yet resolvable” dispute.

Pakistani officials say the move came in response to border attacks that claimed lives on both sides; Afghan sources, however, deny initiating the violence. Prior to the truce, Kabul accused Pakistani strikes in Spin Boldak district of killing 15 civilians and injuring more than 100.

The ceasefire is seen as a critical pause—yet fragile—amid deep distrust. Whether it holds will depend on both sides resisting provocations, reopening dialogue, and addressing long-standing security grievances, including Pakistan’s accusations of militant sanctuaries in Afghan territory.