Afghanistan–Pakistan Eid al-Fitr Ceasefire Takes Effect

A five-day Eid al-Fitr ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan came into effect at midnight on March 19, brokered at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. It is the first cessation of hostilities since Pakistan declared 'open war' against Afghanistan following renewed clashes in February. Pakistan's Information Minister Tarar said the ceasefire would run through midnight on March 24, offering the gesture 'in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms,' but warned operations would resume immediately if any cross-border attack or terrorist incident occurred inside Pakistan. Afghan spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed the pause, though without specifying a timeframe. The truce followed a mass funeral in Kabul on March 18 for victims of the March 16 Pakistani airstrike on the Omid drug rehabilitation center, which Afghan authorities said killed at least 408 people.