ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR(The COW News Digital) Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif issued a stern warning to Afghanistan’s authorities on Friday, saying Islamabad will not retreat from its position that cross-border militancy must stop, and that Pakistan will use force where necessary to protect its security.
Speaking to reporters, Asif said militant sanctuaries and support networks operating from Afghan soil are unacceptable and must be dismantled by Kabul’s rulers. He urged the Afghan Taliban to end any backing for groups such as the TTP and BLA, adding that without credible curbs on terrorism from across the border there is little room for improving bilateral ties.
Asif reiterated Islamabad’s demand that third-party mediators guarantee Pakistani security interests during any talks, and warned that Pakistan would not tolerate continued infiltration or attacks emanating from Afghanistan. He said Pakistan would resort to robust action “where needed,” signalling a readiness to carry out cross-border strikes if attacks from Afghan territory persist.
The defence minister also criticized political developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming the provincial government was becoming isolated and stressing that federal efforts would continue to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity. Asif insisted Pakistan is not governed under any individual “Niazi law” and framed the government’s posture as protection of the nation’s interests.
His comments come amid mounting tensions following the breakdown of recent Türkiye- and Qatar-mediated talks aimed at curbing militant activity and defusing cross-border conflict. Observers say Asif’s rhetoric reflects growing impatience in Islamabad over what it views as insufficient Afghan action to dismantle militant networks and prevent their use as launchpads for attacks.
Regional analysts warn that while Pakistan’s security concerns are genuine, any escalation carries risks of broader destabilization in an already fragile neighbourhood. Diplomats and experts are urging renewed, verifiable confidence-building measures — including clear timelines and independent monitoring — to avoid a slide toward armed confrontation.
