KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed the temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration and urged all parties to continue de-escalation efforts towards lasting peace. The Prime Minister conveyed the message during a telephone conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while on his way back after a one-day working visit to Penang Friday (March 20). Anwar also extended Aidilfitri greetings to Shehbaz and expressed commitment to further strengthening close ties and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan said it had temporarily suspended military operations in Afghanistan at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye in conjunction with Aidilfitri. Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a statement that the temporary ceasefire began at midnight on Wednesday (March 18) and would last until midnight on Monday (March 23).

Source: The Star March 20, 2026 15:45 UTC