Pakistan says Eid ceasefire temporary, urges Afghanistan to act responsibly

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Saturday that Pakistan has temporarily paused its cross-border military operation against militants based in Afghanistan to respect the Eid-ul-Fitr, while calling on Kabul to demonstrate responsibility and ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters, Chaudhry said Pakistan’s mosques, markets, and children remain vulnerable to cross-border terrorism.

“We have always played our role for the Muslim world, but now we must first ensure the safety of our own country,” he said.

The minister emphasised that the pause is temporary and limited to the festival period.

“The operation will continue permanently only when Afghanistan fulfils all conditions demanded by the international community,” he said.

Chaudhry highlighted that Afghanistan had pledged under the Doha agreement not to allow its soil to be used against other countries and said the country must honour that commitment.

Chaudhry said Pakistan had engaged in prolonged diplomatic, political, and military-to-military talks with Afghanistan before taking this step, which the government had previously avoided.

He also noted the wider regional context, saying developments in the Middle East are affecting Pakistan, where more than four million citizens reside and a significant portion of the country’s oil supply originates.

Despite rising global oil prices, the government has absorbed costs to provide relief to citizens during Eid.

Chaudhry concluded by praying for unity in the Muslim world and calling on Afghanistan to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan.

Background

Pakistan under the “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” has been targeting terrorist infrastructure along the Afghan border, including training camps, weapons depots, and drone storage facilities.

According to Pakistani military sources, the campaign has killed over 700 militants, injured more than 900, and destroyed hundreds of positions and vehicles.

 The operation forms part of Pakistan’s long-standing efforts to curb cross-border attacks and secure its western frontier.