Pakistan marks Eid under fragile border ceasefire with Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Pakistan is marking Eid al-Fitr amid a fragile pause in hostilities with neighboring Afghanistan, as both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire to observe the Muslim holiday after weeks of intense fighting along their shared frontier.

The ceasefire came into effect at midnight on 18–19 March and is set to remain in force until 23–24 March, covering much of the Eid period.

Islamabad said it took the step in the spirit of Eid and at the request of fellow Muslim states Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye, while the Afghan Taliban government also announced a halt to its operations.

The temporary truce follows weeks of escalating cross-border airstrikes, drone attacks and artillery exchanges between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters along the Pakistan-Afghanistan boundary.

Many of these clashes stemmed from Pakistan’s accusations that militant groups operating in Afghanistan were responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has denied providing safe haven to militants.

Across the border region, the Eid atmosphere has been muted but noticeably calmer compared with recent weeks of conflict.

In border towns such as Torkham and Chaman, families gathered to pray and exchange greetings, even as security forces maintained high alert along the frontier. Local residents described a cautious mood, blending religious celebration with deep awareness of the recent violence.

The truce has not been entirely without controversy, with Afghan officials and Pakistani authorities trading conflicting claims about ceasefire compliance.

Islamabad rejected accusations from Kabul that it had violated the Eid pause, insisting its operations were aimed only at militant infrastructure and that any resumption of attacks would be in response to hostile acts.

Eid traditions continue inside Pakistan’s cities, though many households reported subdued gatherings. Families across Punjab and Sindh performed prayer services early in the morning, shared festive meals and distributed sweets, but the sounds of celebration were tempered by worry over security along the western border.

Many Pakistanis prayed for peace and safety for their loved ones, particularly those living in border districts. Local markets saw increased foot traffic as people shopped for Eid clothes and gifts, but the hectic shopping crowds of previous years were noticeably smaller.

Officials emphasized the temporary truce as an opportunity to de-escalate and open channels for further diplomacy. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the pause was rooted in Islamic tradition and goodwill, noting that Pakistan would resume its counter-terrorism campaign immediately if cross-border attacks resumed.

The conflict has already caused significant human and material costs on both sides. A deadly airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul that killed hundreds added urgency to calls for a pause in fighting, with international mediators — including Saudi Arabia and Qatar — playing a major role in brokering the Eid ceasefire.

In the Afghan capital, Eid prayers took place amid a more peaceful backdrop than in recent weeks, with bazaars crowded and families shopping for traditional Eid foods and new clothes.

Still, reports from some eastern provinces indicated that sporadic shelling continued despite the official pause, reflecting the fragility of the truce.

Security analysts caution that unless deeper issues — such as militant safe havens and border legitimacy — are addressed, the ceasefire may prove only a brief lull.

But for now, many Pakistanis and Afghans alike are embracing Eid as a moment of respite, hoping the temporary pause might pave the way for more lasting peace.