Pakistan, Afghanistan declare 48-hour ceasefire after deadly border clashes; Islamabad says on request of Kabul

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a 48-hour temporary ceasefire beginning Wednesday evening, following a week of intense cross-border hostilities that left dozens dead on both sides and significantly strained already fragile bilateral ties, reported Pakistan daily Dawn.The Pakistan foreign office (FO) confirmed the development, stating that the truce was arranged “with the mutual consent of both parties” at the request of the Afghan Taliban regime.“During this period, both sides will make sincere efforts to find a positive solution to this complex but solvable issue through constructive dialogue,” the FO said, as quoted by the daily.The announcement came hours after Pakistan carried out precision strikes targeting key Taliban positions in Kandahar and Kabul, in response to attacks from Afghan territory that reportedly killed 23 Pakistani soldiers and injured 29 others, according to the military’s media wing, inter-services public relations (ISPR).