Qatar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that negotiations between Afghanistan's Taliban government and Pakistan were mediated in Doha.
"During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries," Qatar's Foreign Ministry said.
The Taliban and Pakistan also agreed to hold follow-up meetings in Doha in the coming days to sustain the ceasefire and ensure it has been implemented by both parties, Qatar said.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar's hope that this important step will contribute to ending tensions between the two brotherly countries and form a solid foundation for sustainable peace in the region," Qatar's Foreign Ministry said.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry praised the ceasefire agreement Sunday and commended Qatar for hosting the negotiations in Doha.
Violence along the 1,600-mile border between Afghanistan and Pakistan began earlier this month when the Taliban accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in Kabul.
Pakistan has long expressed concern that Afghanistan's Taliban has been supporting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants, which it considers to be a terror group.
"The sound of an explosion was heard in the city of Kabul," Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for Afghanistan's Taliban government, said in an Oct. 9 statement.
"However, no one should worry, it is all well and good, the investigation of the incident is underway, no report of any damage has been given so far," Mujahid said.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry later condemned "unwarranted aggression" by the Afghan Taliban, which it accused of firing first in attacks along the border on the nights of Oct. 11 and Oct. 14.
"Pakistan, exercising its right of self-defense, not only effectively repulsed the assaults all along the border, but also inflicted heavy losses on Taliban forces and affiliated terrorist groups operating from the Afghan soil, in terms of men, material and infrastructure," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a media briefing Friday.
"These infrastructures were used to plan and facilitate terrorist attacks against Pakistan," it said.
On Wednesday, both sides announced a temporary 48-hour ceasefire starting that evening, to try to halt the escalation, but hostilities continued. But both sides welcomed the ceasefire reached in Doha on Sunday.
"It is the first step in the right direction. Deeply appreciate the constructive role played by brotherly Qatar and Turkey," Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a statement.
"We look forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism, in the next meeting to be hosted by Turkey, to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan. It is important to put all efforts in place to prevent any further loss of lives," Dar said.
Mujahid, in his statement after the ceasefire was announced, called the mediation by Qatar and Turkey "instrumental" in reaching the agreement.
"Under the terms of the agreement, both sides reaffirm their commitment to peace, mutual respect, and the maintenance of strong and constructive neighborly relations. Both sides are committed to resolving issues and disputes through dialogue," Mujahid said.
"A comprehensive and meaningful ceasefire has been mutually agreed upon," he said.
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