Islamabad (The COW News Digital) Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday dismissed as “absurd and illogical” a claim reportedly made by an Afghan delegation that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters operating from Afghan soil are actually Pakistani refugees returning home. The minister said the explanation exposed the Afghan side’s lack of sincerity and warned that Islamabad will respond firmly if Afghan territory is used against Pakistan.
Responding via a social media post and in media remarks, Khawaja Asif questioned how individuals carrying “highly destructive weapons” could be described as refugees. “How can they be refugees who enter their own country armed with such weapons, and who do not travel by roads or vehicles but sneak in like thieves through difficult mountain passes?” he said, echoing concerns raised repeatedly by Pakistani officials.
Asif’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul after repeated cross-border attacks that Pakistani authorities allege were launched from Afghan soil. The defence minister said Pakistan had tried in good faith to maintain peace with its neighbour but warned that Islamabad would not hesitate to act if Afghan territory continued to be used for hostile operations.
“If Afghan territory is used against Pakistan for terrorism, we will give a strong response,” Asif said, stressing that Islamabad has been patient but that patience should not be mistaken for weakness. He reiterated that Pakistan expects concrete steps from Afghan authorities to prevent militant groups from operating from within Afghanistan.
Diplomatic friction has intensified in recent weeks, with Pakistan demanding that the Afghan regime ensure that its soil is not a launchpad for attacks. Asif said the Afghan delegation’s explanation — labelling armed militants as returning refugees — undermined the credibility of Kabul’s assurances and highlighted the need for clearer cooperation on counterterrorism.
The defence minister also referred to earlier warnings he issued to the Taliban regime, saying that if Kabul had relinquished control or allowed hostile elements free rein, Pakistan would have to take necessary measures — including military options if required — to secure its borders.
Security analysts say the dispute underscores the fragile state of bilateral ties and the difficulty of distinguishing between civilian cross-border movement and armed infiltration in the rugged frontier. As Islamabad awaits stronger action from Kabul, both sides face international scrutiny to prevent further escalation.
For now, Pakistan’s stance remains firm: those who use Afghan soil to plan or execute attacks against Pakistan will face consequences, and Islamabad will continue to press for verifiable measures from Kabul to stop cross-border militancy.
