ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning to the Afghan Taliban, declaring that Pakistan is effectively in a state of war with Afghanistan. He cautioned that if the Taliban do not put an end to cross-border terrorist activities, they will face serious and unavoidable consequences.
Afghan Taliban Sent a Clear Message Through Violence
Speaking to the media, Khawaja Asif revealed that he personally participated in the first round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, though he was not part of later discussions. Referring to the recent suicide attack in Islamabad, he said the incident carried a clear and dangerous message from the Afghan Taliban to expand the scale and intensity of terrorism across Pakistan.
“This attack shows their intent to spread terrorism further. Pakistan’s security forces have sacrificed immensely to eliminate this menace,” Asif said. “However, the attacks in Islamabad and Wana Cadet College demonstrate that the Afghan Taliban are using terrorism to pressure Pakistan instead of cleansing their soil from militants.”
Pakistan Is at War
The Defence Minister emphasized that Pakistan has endured years of bloodshed in its fight against terrorism. “We are at war. After burying so many martyrs, can we remain silent? Pakistan is fully prepared to face any situation,” he stated firmly.
He further said that while Pakistan desires peace, Afghanistan’s current approach leaves no room for trust or dialogue.
Afghanistan Has No Intent for Peace
Asif lamented that despite multiple rounds of peace negotiations, including those in Doha and Istanbul, no tangible progress was made.
“Their objective is not reconciliation; it is to keep Pakistan under constant pressure and internal instability,” he remarked.
He added that the international community must realize that Afghanistan’s soil is once again being used as a launchpad for terrorism against Pakistan.
Security Forces Foil Another APS-like Tragedy
Highlighting the bravery of Pakistan’s forces, Asif revealed that terrorists behind the Wana Cadet College attack had intended to replicate the 2014 APS Peshawar massacre, but timely intervention prevented a large-scale catastrophe. “Had our forces not acted swiftly, we could have witnessed another dark day like APS,” he said.
Constitutional Clarifications and Political Remarks
Addressing questions regarding constitutional amendments, Asif clarified that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has not sought any kind of immunity, while reaffirming that the President enjoys constitutional protection under the law. Commenting on the judiciary’s silence over recent events, the Defence Minister added:
“The judiciary has chosen silence for now. But if we revisit the past, a lot will come to light.”