Pakistan, Oct. 21 -- Saudi Arabia on Monday welcomed an agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on an immediate ceasefire after a week of fierce border clashes, the worst violence between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

The ground fighting between the two nations and Pakistani airstrikes across their contested 2,600-km border were triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in militants who had stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operated from havens in Afghanistan. Kabul denies this.

Both sides agreed to a ceasefire after talks in Doha on Sunday and will meet again on October 25 in Istanbul for detailed discussions. The clashes had already killed dozens and wounded hundreds ...