Pakistan, Afghanistan Agree to Eid Conflict Pause

A five-day truce between Pakistan and the Taliban is set to begin at midnight Thursday, coinciding with the end of Ramadan. The pause in cross-border fighting was requested by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, described as “brotherly Islamic countries,” according to Pakistani officials. Leaders from both Pakistan and the Taliban have stated the truce is conditional and subject to reversal if violated. There was no immediate response from the Taliban authorities regarding the agreement. The move comes two days after a strike hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, marking the deadliest incident in months. The truce is scheduled to last through Monday.