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Exclusive-Pakistan says Afghan Taliban must rein in militants for ceasefire to hold

By Asif Shahzad
By Asif Shahzad
Oct 20, 2025
Afghan Defence Minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif shake hands, following the signing of a ceasefire agreement, during a negotations meeting mediated by Qatar and Turkey, in Doha, Qatar, October 19, 2025. Qatar Ministry Of Foreign Affairs/Handout via REUTERS
Afghan Defence Minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif shake hands, following the signing of a ceasefire agreement, during a negotations meeting mediated by Qatar and Turkey, in Doha, Qatar, October 19, 2025. Qatar Ministry Of Foreign Affairs/Handout via REUTERS — QATAR MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIR

By Asif Shahzad

(Reuters) -Pakistan's ceasefire agreement with the Afghan Taliban hinges on their ability to rein in militant attacks on Islamabadfromtheirsoil, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters on Monday.

A Taliban spokesperson and its defence ministrydid not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad, writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Toby Chopra)