Pakistan, Oct. 17 -- The United Nations Thursday called for Afghanistan and Pakistan to permanently end recent deadly hostilities and protect civilians. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) issued a statement in Kabul welcoming the ceasefire between the two sides announced on Wednesday following a week of cross-border clashes and airstrikes in the Afghan capital. Afghanistan has been under Taliban rule since 2021, the statement said, noting that relations between the neighbouring countries have deteriorated since then. UNAMA said it had received credible reports of significant civilian casualties because of the violence. "UNAMA calls on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further ...