The suspension, which was mediated by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, will begin at midnight on Wednesday and is set to last until midnight on Monday local time, according to Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. It is the first cessation of hostilities between the two countries since Pakistan declared “open war” with Afghanistan amid renewed clashes in February.“Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms,” Tarar said in a statement on social media.
It does not yet appear likely that the temporary pause will lead to a more lasting cease-fire. Tarar cautioned that “in case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan,” Pakistan’s operations “shall immediately resume with renewed intensity.”