Afghan-Pakistani talks are taking place in Doha, a Taliban government source confirmed to Al Mayadeen.

The source stated that a delegation from the Taliban government in Kabul is set to depart for Doha this evening or tomorrow to participate in the talks, adding that the issue of extending the ceasefire will be on the agenda for discussion.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed Islamabad's readiness for talks with Afghanistan to resolve their conflict, following a temporary ceasefire which halted days of fierce fighting between the former allies and has since largely held.

Pakistani PM says ball is in Afghanistan's court

Insisting that the initiative now lay with the Afghan side, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, "If they want to talk on our valid conditions and want to resolve through dialogue we are ready for that," adding, "This message has been given to them yesterday. Now the ball is in their court."

"If this ceasefire is done just to buy time, we will not accept it," the Pakistani prime minister emphasized.

There was no immediate response from Kabul to his remarks, as Afghan Defense Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi would only confirm that the ceasefire was holding so far.

Afghanistan affirms commitment to good relations with neighbors

A statement from the Afghan Taliban Interior Ministry indicated that Interior Minister Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, during a meeting with senior Iranian officials, conveyed that Afghanistan seeks good relations with all countries, especially its neighbors.

"Just as we respect the sovereignty and dignity of others, we expect the same goodwill and respect toward us," the statement said. 

The recent friction between the two Islamic countries erupted after Islamabad demanded that Kabul take action to rein in militants who had stepped up attacks in Pakistan, alleging that they were operating from havens in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has rejected these allegations, counter-accusing the Pakistani military of disseminating false information about Afghanistan, escalating tensions along the border, and providing sanctuary to ISIS-affiliated militants in an effort to destabilize the country and violate its sovereignty.

18 civilians killed since October 10: UN mission in Afghanistan

According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the fighting that began on October 10 has resulted in at least 18 civilian deaths and left more than 360 others wounded. Pakistan has announced the killing of 34 militants in three separate military operations conducted this week.

Bashir Ahmad, a doctor at EMERGENCY's Surgical Center in Kabul, which is a facility for war victims, reported that 34 people with numerous wounds, including fractures to the head and legs and severe burns, were brought there following the strike. 

"Everything suddenly went dark...the house across from our office...was completely destroyed by the rocket, from the top floor down to the ground," he said.