ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly condemned recent statements made by Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai, rejecting all allegations put forward by the Afghan side.
In his response, the Pakistani minister labeled the allegations as unfounded and part of an attempt to tarnish Pakistan’s image.
Khawaja Asif stressed that reports from international monitoring bodies, including the United Nations, have repeatedly highlighted that over two dozen terrorist groups, including the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaeda, and ISIS, are operating freely within Afghan territory.
He pointed out that Afghanistan had become a hub for the recruitment and facilitation of ISIS-Khorasan Province (ISKP) in 2024, underscoring the severity of the threat posed by these groups.
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The Pakistani defense chief called on the interim Afghan government to take decisive steps in dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and ensuring that Afghan soil is not used for terrorist activities against neighboring countries.
“Afghanistan should act to prevent its land from being exploited for attacks on other nations,” Asif stated.
In his remarks, the defense minister also criticised Stanikzai’s claims, labeling them as an evasion of responsibility. Asif noted that, rather than addressing these grave issues, the Afghan authorities are attempting to deflect attention from their own role in harboring and facilitating terrorism.
Pakistan has repeatedly highlighted the growing threat posed by the TTP, which has been conducting cross-border attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil. This concern was reiterated during a press briefing by Pakistan’s Foreign Office two weeks ago.
The FO spokesperson had mentioned that Pakistan remains committed to peace talks with Afghanistan, despite the continued threat of terrorism.
Pakistan’s efforts in managing the security situation along the Afghan border have been cautious and based on solid intelligence, according to the Foreign Office.
Pakistan’s military operations are carried out with extreme care and after thorough vetting of the information received, aimed at neutralizing terrorist threats while respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
FO spokesperson stressed the importance of both nations collaborating to combat terrorism, calling for joint efforts to address security challenges, manage the border effectively, and resolve trade and security issues.
The spox also urged the public to avoid misinformation circulating on social media regarding terrorist groups, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Khawaja Asif concluded by reiterating Pakistan’s position on Afghanistan, emphasizing that Islamabad does not have any issues with the Afghan people but continues to prioritise resolving outstanding issues with the Afghan government through diplomatic channels.
