Pakistan and Afghanistan announce Eid 'pause' in hostilities

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday announced a halt in fighting during celebrations for the end of Ramadan, after the deadliest strike in their escalating conflict killed hundreds in Kabul earlier this week.

The governments in Islamabad and Kabul said in separate statements that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey had requested a pause in fighting over Eid al-Fitr and both agreed.

Cross-border attacks have intensified since last month, and Pakistan accuses the Taliban authorities of shielding extremists behind attacks on its territory. Afghanistan denies doing so.

On Monday night, Pakistani jets struck a drug rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital, prompting fresh calls for an immediate end to attacks and talks to end the bloodshed.

Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar, said the government agreed to a halt to its operations from Thursday to Monday "in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms".

Taliban government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said defending Afghanistan was "a national and religious obligation" and they would respond to any aggression or threat.

Tarar said: "In case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, (operations) shall immediately resume with renewed intensity."