ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif has said that Afghanistan must ensure that its soil is not used for cross-border infiltration or terrorist activities against Pakistan. Speaking to the media, he stated that the Taliban regime in Kabul should immediately end its support for terrorist groups, emphasizing that without concrete action against terrorism, there can be no meaningful improvement in relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Khawaja Asif reiterated that Pakistan’s stance is clear — whether it is the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), acts of terrorism within Pakistan will not be tolerated under any circumstances. “For peace to prevail in Pakistan, Kabul must provide guarantees; only then can dialogue progress,” he said.
The Defence Minister further noted that any mediators involved would safeguard Pakistan’s national interests. “Pakistan will not retreat from its firm position on terrorism. We will defend our country and protect its soil at all costs. Where required, we are exercising our full strength,” he added.
He announced that the next round of Pakistan–Afghanistan talks will take place on November 6.
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Commenting on domestic politics, Khawaja Asif said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is gradually becoming isolated, while people from the former FATA region recognize the sincerity of the federal government. He criticized PTI leadership, saying, “They speak only for the interests of prisoner number 804. This country cannot be run under the law of Niazi — their politics revolves around personal interests.”
A day earlier, in an interview with an Arab TV channel, the Defence Minister accused the Taliban of acting as a proxy for India, claiming that New Delhi is supporting the Afghan Taliban to wage a low-intensity conflict against Pakistan.
“We have evidence of links between the Taliban and India,” he said, adding that “when one of the Taliban ministers was visiting India, clashes erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.”
Khawaja Asif confirmed that Pakistan has responded firmly to Afghan Taliban aggression, noting that several Pakistani soldiers were martyred in recent border skirmishes.