Update - Afghan President Announces Ceasefire Against Taliban

In a landmark development, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Sunday declared a conditional ceasefire against the Taliban ahead of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim festival, effective from Monday.



Addressing a ceremony to mark the 99th Independence Day of Afghanistan at the iconic Darul Aman palace in Kabul, Ghani said the ceasefire would last three months provided that the Taliban also respect it.



He said the decision has been made after extensive consultation with different segments of the Afghan society and Islamic scholars worldwide.



Meanwhile, Pakistan has welcomed the declaration of the ceasefire.



"Pakistan fully supports all such efforts that contribute to achieving durable stability and lasting peace in Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan deserve it. Coinciding with the Independence Day of Afghanistan, the announcement has an even greater significance," Pakistan's Foreign Office said in a statement.



"We also call upon all parties that in defence to the holy tradition of sacrifice during Eid ul Azha [al-Adha] to implement a ceasefire in hostilities - preferably for a more extended period of time," the statement added. -