Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif on Friday said that his country can no longer maintain its past relations with Afghanistan, alleging, without evidence, that the Taliban leadership is "sitting in India’s lap" and warning of a "heavy price" for cross-border terrorism, signalling a public hardening of Islamabad’s stance toward a regime it once helped install.
His comments came after at least six people, including two children, were killed and seven others injured in airstrikes conducted by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province. The strikes reportedly violated a recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries. Media reports said that representatives from both sides are expected to meet in Doha, Qatar, to address the situation.
"Pakistan can no longer afford to maintain relations with Kabul as it did in the past," Asif said in a social media post.
Also read: Pakistan army chief Asim Munir makes unprovoked remark at Indian military
"All Afghans residing on Pakistani soil must return to their homeland; they now have their own government/caliphate in Kabul... Our land and resources belong to 250 million Pakistanis," he added.
"Self-respecting nations do not thrive on foreign land and resources," Asif said.
He stated that despite Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices over the past five years, Kabul has not responded positively. "Pakistan issued 836 protest notes to the Afghan side and another 13 demarches," he said.
Asif warned that Pakistan will now respond more strongly to acts of terrorism. "There will no longer be protest notes or appeals for peace; no delegations will go to Kabul. Wherever the source of terrorism lies, it will have to pay a heavy price," he said.
He also alleged that Afghanistan has become a "proxy of India" and is working with New Delhi and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against Islamabad.
"The rulers of Kabul, who are now sitting in India’s lap and conspiring against Pakistan, were once under our protection, hiding on our land," Asif said, without providing any evidence for his claim.
Earlier this week, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing the weekly press briefing, said that Pakistan is habituated in blaming its neighbours for its internal problems. "On the developments that are happening on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, we are closely monitoring the situation three things are clear. One, Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities. Two, it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its own internal failures. And three, Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan," he had said.
The Pakistan defense minister reiterated that Pakistan is prepared to defend itself against any aggression from Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, Asif said that Pakistan is ready to respond if the Afghan Taliban "wish for war." Speaking to Samaa TV, he said, "Pakistan remains ready for any aggression; no one should harbour doubt."
Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban government to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for cross-border attacks. Kabul has denied these claims, saying that Afghan soil is not being used against any neighbouring country.
Tensions between the two nations have grown following repeated attacks by the TTP, allegedly launched from Afghan soil. A recent attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district killed 11 Pakistani soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major.
His comments came after at least six people, including two children, were killed and seven others injured in airstrikes conducted by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province. The strikes reportedly violated a recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries. Media reports said that representatives from both sides are expected to meet in Doha, Qatar, to address the situation.
"Pakistan can no longer afford to maintain relations with Kabul as it did in the past," Asif said in a social media post.
Also read: Pakistan army chief Asim Munir makes unprovoked remark at Indian military
"All Afghans residing on Pakistani soil must return to their homeland; they now have their own government/caliphate in Kabul... Our land and resources belong to 250 million Pakistanis," he added.
"Self-respecting nations do not thrive on foreign land and resources," Asif said.
He stated that despite Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices over the past five years, Kabul has not responded positively. "Pakistan issued 836 protest notes to the Afghan side and another 13 demarches," he said.
Asif warned that Pakistan will now respond more strongly to acts of terrorism. "There will no longer be protest notes or appeals for peace; no delegations will go to Kabul. Wherever the source of terrorism lies, it will have to pay a heavy price," he said.
He also alleged that Afghanistan has become a "proxy of India" and is working with New Delhi and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against Islamabad.
"The rulers of Kabul, who are now sitting in India’s lap and conspiring against Pakistan, were once under our protection, hiding on our land," Asif said, without providing any evidence for his claim.
Earlier this week, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing the weekly press briefing, said that Pakistan is habituated in blaming its neighbours for its internal problems. "On the developments that are happening on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, we are closely monitoring the situation three things are clear. One, Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities. Two, it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its own internal failures. And three, Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan," he had said.
The Pakistan defense minister reiterated that Pakistan is prepared to defend itself against any aggression from Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, Asif said that Pakistan is ready to respond if the Afghan Taliban "wish for war." Speaking to Samaa TV, he said, "Pakistan remains ready for any aggression; no one should harbour doubt."
Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban government to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for cross-border attacks. Kabul has denied these claims, saying that Afghan soil is not being used against any neighbouring country.
Tensions between the two nations have grown following repeated attacks by the TTP, allegedly launched from Afghan soil. A recent attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district killed 11 Pakistani soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major.
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