Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to uphold border ceasefire and resume peace talks

Afghan refugees near the Pakistan border, ahead of their departure for Afghanistan. PIC/GETTY IMAGES

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday agreed to ensure maintenance of a ceasefire on the border and resume talks to salvage the peace process that hit snags early this week, according to a report.

A second round of discussions between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations had begun in Istanbul on Saturday, but failed after Pakistan accused the Taliban of showing reluctance to give assurances to stop cross-border attacks.

A joint statement released early on Friday by Turkey - the host of the latest round of talks - stated "further modalities of the implementation will be discussed and decided" during a principal-level meeting in Istanbul on November 6, Dawn reported on Friday.

The statement didn't specify who the "principals" would be, it is expected that it meant the defence ministers of the two countries, who led their sides in the first round in Doha, would now meet in Istanbul.

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