According to a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs early Sunday, the two South Asian nations committed not only to a halt in hostilities but also to “the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries”.

They further affirmed that follow-up meetings will be held in the coming days “to ensure the sustainability of the cease-fire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner”.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, welcomed the accord as “a first step in the right direction”.

Posting on X, he expressed appreciation for the “constructive role played by brotherly Qatar and Türkiye”. He also flagged the next meeting to be hosted by Türkiye, underlining the need for “a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism … to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan”.

He added: “It is important to put all efforts in place to prevent any further loss of lives.”

Earlier, both Islamabad and Kabul held talks in Doha on Saturday after the worst violence between the neighbours since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

According to Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, negotiations took place in Doha with Kabul’s team led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob. Meanwhile Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed its Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif led discussions with Taliban leadership.

The cross-border flare-up was triggered by Pakistan’s demand that Afghanistan rein in insurgent groups accused of staging increasingly frequent attacks on Pakistani territory—and which Islamabad says operate from safe havens inside Afghan soil.

The Taliban government denies harbouring armed groups for attacks on Pakistan, instead accusing Islamabad of misinformation, and of sheltering ISIL-linked militants undermining Afghan sovereignty.

On Friday, a suicide bomb near the border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded 13 others, according to security officials. Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir, warned on Saturday that “the Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan.”

While the cease-fire agreement marks a positive step, analysts caution that the true test will lie in sustained verification, cross-border monitoring and addressing deep-rooted mistrust. Establishing a credible mechanism to monitor adherence and respond promptly to violations will be crucial if peace is to hold.

According to the intelligence report, TRT World has been providing repeated space to controversial figures linked to Pakistan’s Kashmir campaign, most notably Nasir Qadri—an Islamabad-based lawyer who heads the Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK). Qadri, who once travelled extensively within India, is now operating from Pakistan’s capital, spearheading global campaigns to malign India’s military and government under the guise of human rights advocacy.

Observers say Qadri’s rise in the propaganda machinery is part of a broader, coordinated effort involving Turkey, Pakistan, and organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. These connections came into sharper focus during the Russell Tribunal on Kashmir held in 2022—a politically charged event co-organized by actors from all three camps.

In a significant flashpoint noted by the report, Legal Forum for Kashmir, in collaboration with UK-based law firm Stoke White, ran a highly orchestrated Twitter campaign in January 2022 targeting key Indian leaders. The online offensive singled out Union Home Minister Amit Shah and then-Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Naravane. Hashtags and posts flooded social media, attempting to paint India’s security operations in Jammu and Kashmir in a negative light.

This digital campaign conveniently coincided with the Russell Tribunal, raising questions about its timing and coordination. While the event branded itself as an independent tribunal on Kashmir, critics argue it was little more than a political showpiece aimed at India, leveraging platforms and personalities closely aligned with Ankara and Islamabad.

Analysts suggest TRT World’s coverage fits into Ankara’s broader geopolitical ambitions. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has, in recent years, amplified his rhetoric on Muslim causes, often positioning himself as a global defender of Muslim rights. In that narrative, Kashmir finds repeated mention—frequently aligned with Pakistan’s stance.

Qadri’s Legal Forum for Kashmir, though presented as a legal advocacy group, has drawn scrutiny for functioning as a front for anti-India narratives. Its frequent engagement with Turkish media outlets and joint events with organizations sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood only deepen suspicions about its true objectives.

What makes the situation more concerning, according to @OSINTWa_com, is the blurring of lines between journalism and state-driven messaging. When a state-funded broadcaster like TRT World gives repeated coverage to one-sided narratives without space for opposing views, it raises red flags about media neutrality and intent.

Experts urge caution and call for international media watchdogs to investigate the growing weaponization of public broadcasters in geopolitically sensitive regions. “This is not journalism—it’s soft warfare,” one analyst noted.

As India and Pakistan navigate yet another phase of tense relations, observers argue that platforms like TRT World must be held accountable for enabling biased discourse that could inflame public sentiment and undermine regional stability.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, “The Prime Minister will hold extensive discussions with President Erdogan on bilateral relations and exchange views on recent regional developments.” The meeting is seen as part of ongoing efforts to elevate the already strong bond between the two nations.

The two leaders last met during the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), held in Islamabad on February 12-13, 2025. This leadership-level forum plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the Pakistan-Türkiye partnership.

One key area of focus is economic collaboration. The two countries signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in August 2022, which grants tariff concessions on select goods. Both sides are now working towards a more ambitious goal—raising bilateral trade to $5 billion and potentially advancing toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

In 2023, Pakistan exported goods worth $352.1 million to Türkiye, while importing $250.8 million in return. Key Turkish exports included lead, meat, and artworks, while Pakistan shipped explosives, zinc, meat, and fur skins to its ally.

Though trade volumes are still modest compared to each country’s broader economic landscape, the ongoing dialogue and cooperation signal a strong intent to grow this important relationship.

As PM Sharif meets President Erdoğan in Ankara, all eyes will be on the outcomes that could shape the future of Pakistan-Türkiye relations in the years to come.

Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, secretary general of Jamiat Ahle Hadith Pakistan and chairman of Quran o Sunnah Movement released a video statement on Wednesday afternoon that Pakistan Government is clearing ground for the construction of temple in Islamabad to appease Indian PM Modi, but to demolish a mosque is completely unacceptable.

Zaheer said that, “Pakistan is an Islamic republic, where the protection of mosques and Islamic schools is the responsibility of the government”.

“Unfortunately, the government which calls out loudly about the rights of minorities, and erects idols for them. But the very same government in the past and the present has taken down mosques, though they justify it with a political explanation,” he added.

Ibtisam in his Facebook post appealed the government to release the Imam and his two sons, and asked the government to stop the oppression upon mosques, schools and the Islamic scholars.

Local Muslim groups believe that Masjid Tawheed to be an oldest mosque in the area dedicated exclusively for the propagation of Muslims’ Holy Book Quran and the Prophetic traditions, and it has been serving the purpose for the past 30-years without any hassle.

However, local authorities claim that the mosque was built over a government property, while the Muslim groups reject the claim.

Zaheer said, “Government has taken a vague excuse that the mosque was built over a government property, but they have ulterior motives”.

“On one hand, the Government speaks about democracy, liberty, freedom of thought and religion, freedom of expression, and minority rights. But on the other hand, it carries out evil actions against Muslim worship places,” he added.

Pakistani Youtuber Shakir Abbasi said that, “we are not against the construction of a temple in Islamabad as we believe in minority rights, but to demolish an old mosque under the pretext of illegal construction is completely unacceptable”.