Islamabad (TDI): Clerics from Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday appealed to authorities on both sides to extend the temporary pause in hostilities, originally announced for Eidul Fitr, until Eidul Azha.
In Pakistan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had announced on March 18 that a temporary halt in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq would take place from midnight March 18–19 to midnight March 23–24, citing requests from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye. The operation was launched on February 26 in response to cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban.
A joint statement signed by eleven clerics from each country emphasized “a sincere, serious and conciliatory move towards a sustainable and dignified solution to the conflict between our two countries.”
The clerics urged both Pakistani authorities and the Afghan Taliban to extend the ceasefire through Eidul Azha to allow citizens to perform Haj in a peaceful environment.
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The statement added that this initiative goes beyond a temporary pause in fighting. It aims to use all possible diplomatic and social efforts to reach a “fair and acceptable” resolution to longstanding issues between Islamabad and Kabul.
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According to the clerics, the ultimate goal is to establish a foundation for lasting stability and harmony in the region, benefitting the people of both countries.
