ISLAMABAD: A group of clerics from Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tues­day appealed to the auth­orities on both sides to ex­­tend the pause in hostilities — which was annou­nced for Eidul Fitr — until Eidul Azha.

“With the joint efforts and cooperation of the esteemed public and political scholars and resp­ec­ted tribal leaders of Afgh­anistan and Pakistan, we are making a sincere, serious and conciliatory move towards a sustainable and dignified solution to the conflict between our two countries,” said a joint statement issued by clerics from both sides.

Eleven Pakistani and as many Afghan clerics signed the statement, released on Tuesday night.

In the statement, the clerics from the two sides urged Pakistani authorities and the Afghan Taliban to extend the pause in fighting till Eidul Azha so that people could perform Haj in a “peace-ful atmosphere”.

The statement said the “peace movement” would not be restricted to the appeal for an extension in the pause in fighting, but as part of this initiative, all possible “diplomatic and social efforts” would be made for a “fair and acceptable” resolution to longstanding issues betw­een Islamabad and Kabul.

The clerics said their ef­­forts were aimed at finding a solution agreeable to both sides and one that could lay the foundation of lasting stability and harmony in the region.

In Pakistan, the annou­ncement of the pause in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was made by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on March 18, three days before Eidul Fitr.

The minister said the pause would be appli-cable from midnight March 18-19 to midnight March 23-24.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026