ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's Foreign Ministry confirmed Tuesday that both nations will observe a complete cessation of military activities along their disputed border from Thursday midnight through Tuesday, marking the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr.

The breakthrough emerged after sustained diplomatic pressure from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, who jointly approached both governments last week seeking the temporary halt. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the initiative as a "humanitarian gesture" requested by the three regional powers.

"This pause allows families to celebrate Eid without the sound of artillery," said Dr Marvin Weinbaum, Afghanistan expert at the Middle East Institute in Washington. "While temporary, it demonstrates that external mediation can still influence both Islamabad and the Taliban when religious sensitivities are involved."

Border skirmishes between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters have intensified since February, with both sides trading accusations over cross-border militant activities. The Taliban government in Kabul has consistently denied harboring anti-Pakistan groups, while Islamabad maintains that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan operates from Afghan territory with impunity. Regional analyst Ayesha Siddiqa noted that "the ceasefire timing suggests Gulf states view the Pakistan-Afghanistan dispute as potentially destabilising for broader regional security, particularly given ongoing tensions in the Middle East."