Afghanistan President Ashaf Ghani. (Photo: VNA)

In a statement, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan called on the Afghan government and the Taliban to seize this opportunity to put a permanent end to the violence. The statement said the last truce saved hundreds of lives.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it hopes the truce will bring about peace and stability in Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the move by President Ghani and urged the Taliban to cooperate.