Afghan, Pakistani negotiators in Doha for peace talks after fierce clashes

A high-level delegation from Afghanistan arrived in Doha on Saturday for peace talks with Pakistan, an Afghan government spokesperson said, after the countries extended a ceasefire to their fierce border clashes.



"As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha," Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, adding that the Kabul team was led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob.



A Pakistani delegation was already in the Qatari capital on Friday for the talks and was to be joined by more senior officials, three government and security officials told Reuters.



The government in Islamabad has not confirmed its participation in the talks. Pakistan's defence and foreign ministries did not respond to requests for a comment.



Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday extended the 48-hour truce for the duration of the Doha talks, sources said, as they seek to resolve the clashes that killed dozens and wounded hundreds over the past week in the worst violence between the two South Asian nations since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.