ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has warned that Pakistan will not hesitate to carry out further strikes if Afghanistan fails to prevent militant groups from using its territory to launch attacks.
His remarks come amid continued tensions between Islamabad and Kabul following border clashes last October, when Afghan Taliban fighters and militants allegedly carried out attacks on Pakistani border posts. The fighting left more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants dead, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred, according to official accounts.
Pakistan later conducted what officials described as “precision strikes” inside Afghanistan, targeting suspected militant hideouts in Kandahar province and Kabul. Despite multiple rounds of talks, the two sides failed to reach a ceasefire, with Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban administration of not taking concrete action against armed groups.
Asif alleged that India is waging a “proxy war” against Pakistan through militant organisations, claiming that New Delhi, Kabul and certain armed groups were aligned against Islamabad.
He added that Pakistan and India have had no direct or indirect contact since their armed confrontation in May 2025 and cautioned that the possibility of renewed conflict with India cannot be ruled out.
The defence minister said several friendly countries had attempted to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid rising tensions, but those efforts did not yield results.
Addressing the domestic security situation, including a recent mosque bombing in Islamabad, Asif claimed that multiple terrorist groups are operating in Pakistan due to what he described as Kabul’s failure to act decisively against militancy.
On foreign policy, Asif dismissed the prospect of Pakistan establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in the near future. He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s policy of non-recognition remains tied to its support for an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
When asked whether Pakistan might follow other Muslim-majority states in normalising relations with Israel, Asif said such a move is not under consideration. However, he indicated that recognition could be reviewed in the future if Palestinians secure the right to self-determination and an independent homeland.
Commenting on the situation in Gaza, Asif said Pakistan would consider contributing to an international peacekeeping force if appropriate terms of reference are agreed upon. He noted Pakistan’s longstanding role in United Nations peacekeeping missions and described potential participation as an opportunity to support efforts toward a two-state solution in the Middle East.
Pakistan’s foreign office today issued a demarche to the Afghan representatives in Islamabad, condemning the 16th Febuary terrorist attacks in Bajaur district of KPK.