WEB DESK: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday urged an immediate and complete halt to cross-border infiltrations from Afghan soil and warned that Pakistan will not retreat from its position on countering terrorism.
Speaking to reporters, Asif insisted the Taliban regime in Kabul must cease providing sanctuary to extremist groups. “Infiltration from Afghanistan must stop completely,” he said, adding that Pakistan “will not step back” from its stance on tackling terrorism. He called on Kabul to give formal guarantees that Afghan territory will not be used to plan or mount attacks inside Pakistan, saying there can be “no meaningful improvement” in bilateral ties until that happens.
Asif also stressed that any third party mediating between the neighbours must fully protect Pakistan’s interests. “A mediator must safeguard our complete interests,” he told the media. He warned that militant groups, whether the TTP or BLA, not be tolerated inside Pakistan: “We will not endure terrorism in Pakistan.”
On domestic politics and governance, the defence minister said the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was becoming increasingly isolated, while residents of the former FATA region believe the federal government is sincere in its outreach. “Where necessary, we are using force decisively,” he said, and accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of pursuing narrow political aims. Asif added pointedly that the country could not be run “under Niazi law,” and affirmed the government’s duty to “protect the interests of this land.”
His remarks come amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and recurrent demands in Islamabad for stronger Afghan action against insurgent sanctuaries.