This comes after a week of intense border clashes between the two countries   considered the fiercest fighting since 2021, when the Taliban took power in Kabul.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, wrote on X on Sunday that “the ceasefire agreement has been finalized,” adding that both sides will meet again on October 25 in Istanbul to “discuss detailed matters.”

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also said in a statement that both sides had agreed to a “complete and valid” ceasefire.

ALSO READ: Israel kills top Houthi military leader

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which together with Turkey mediated the talks, said that the next meetings aim to “ensure the ceasefire remains in effect and to monitor its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan are seeking ways to resolve their disputes after the fighting left hundreds dead and many others injured. The talks were led by Asif and his Afghan counterpart, Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob, according to both sides.

The ground clashes between the two former allies, along with Pakistani airstrikes that crossed the 2,600-kilometer border, were triggered by Islamabad’s demand that Kabul control militants who had increased attacks in Pakistan, allegedly operating from bases inside Afghanistan.

ALSO READ: Deadly clashes erupt between Wazalendo factions in Eastern DRC

The Taliban deny harboring militants who launch attacks in Pakistan, accusing instead Pakistan’s military of spreading false information about Afghanistan and alleging that Pakistan shelters fighters linked to the Islamic State group to undermine Afghanistan’s sovereignty  claims Pakistan has denied.

Militants believed to be backed by Afghanistan have for years carried out attacks in Pakistan, seeking to overthrow the government and impose a rule based on Islamic law.