Turkey Offers to Help Sustain Pakistan–Afghanistan Ceasefire

Overview

• The Turkish president welcomed the extension of the truce and said Ankara is ready to contribute to a mechanism that would ensure its continuation.
• Erdoğan met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the International Forum of Peace and Trust in Turkmenistan’s capital.
• Both leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional issues, with plans to expand cooperation in energy, trade, investment and other areas.
• The ceasefire was reached after October cross-border violence that followed reported Pakistani airstrikes and an Afghan Defense Ministry announcement of an 'operation of retribution.'
• Negotiations to stabilize the border continue as Islamabad blames the TTP for attacks and accuses Kabul of harboring militants, claims Afghan officials reject.