‘Ball in Kabul’s court’: Pakistan links future peace to Taliban action after ceasefire

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Thursday that “the ball is in the Afghan Taliban’s court” for securing long-term peace, a day after both sides agreed to a 48-hour truce following deadly cross-border clashes.

The South Asian neighbors exchanged heavy fire and Pakistan launched airstrikes across their contested frontier earlier this week, killing dozens and wounding hundreds before announcing a temporary ceasefire that began at 1300 GMT on Wednesday.

“If in 48 hours they want to resolve the issues and address our genuine demands, then we are ready for them,” Sharif told his cabinet, reiterating Pakistan’s stance that militants affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) must be eliminated and that Afghan territory should not be used to launch attacks on Pakistan.

‘No choice but to defend sovereignty’

Sharif said Pakistan had been forced to act after a series of deadly attacks carried out by Afghan-based groups against Pakistani police, armed forces, and civilians.

“At Afghanistan’s request, we have agreed to a 48-hour temporary ceasefire,” he said, adding that lasting peace now depends on Kabul’s leadership.

The prime minister emphasized that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades despite limited resources. “We have always maintained relations of brotherhood and solidarity,” he said.

India ‘fomenting instability’

Sharif also alleged that the attacks on Pakistan had “external backing” and condemned India’s role in promoting aggression in the region. He lauded Qatar’s mediation efforts and underlined the need for dialogue and cooperation among neighboring countries to achieve long-term stability.

He credited Pakistan’s armed forces, led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for delivering a decisive response to terrorism, while criticizing past policies that allowed militant networks to take root. “Extremism must be eradicated completely,” he said.

Turning to international affairs, Sharif commended efforts by Muslim and global leaders to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza, calling the truce a “step toward ending the bloodshed.”

On the domestic front, he said Pakistan had reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expressing hope it would be the country’s final program. He urged collective efforts to reduce national debt and stabilize the economy.

“After the struggle for justice, Pakistan’s honor has been elevated,” he said. “A strong and economically stable Pakistan will carry weight in the world, and the world will watch our progress.”

Tensions remain high on the border

The ceasefire comes amid a resurgence of militant attacks along Pakistan’s western frontier, largely carried out by the TTP and its affiliates. Islamabad has long accused Kabul of sheltering these groups - a claim the Afghan Taliban deny.

Tensions escalated last week when explosions struck parts of Afghanistan, including Kabul, which Taliban officials blamed on Pakistan. The blasts occurred as Afghanistan’s foreign minister made a rare diplomatic visit to India, Pakistan’s archrival.

Afghan Taliban fighters reportedly launched an offensive near the border in retaliation, prompting Islamabad to vow a firm military response.

‘Everything went dark,’ say airstrike victims

In Kabul’s Taimani neighborhood, residents were still reeling from Wednesday’s airstrikes, hours before the truce came into effect.

Dr. Bashir Ahmad, from EMERGENCY’s Surgical Centre for War Victims, said 34 wounded people were brought in, many with head fractures, burns, and broken limbs.

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Pakistan carried out precision strikes in Kandahar and Kabul, targeting the "leadership of Fitna al-Khawarij". Security sources say all targets were isolated from civilians and destroyed.#nukta...

Abdul Kabir, an office worker, recalled hearing “a terrifyingly loud sound.”

“Everything suddenly went dark. The house across from our office was completely destroyed by the rocket, from the top floor down to the ground,” he said.

Another victim, Mawludin, said he was buried under shattered glass before friends rescued him. “When I got outside, everything was dark, and there was dust everywhere. Everyone, old and young, was in bad condition,” he said.

*With additional input from AFP and Reuters