Khawaja Asif warns Taliban of “bitter” response if cross-border attacks persist

WEB DESK: In a strongly worded tweet, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned the Afghan Taliban that Pakistan will not tolerate cross-border militancy and reiterated that Islamabad is prepared to respond decisively to any threat emanating from Afghan soil. Asif said Pakistan accepted an offer to mediate peace talks at the request of “brotherly countries” and in the interest of regional stability. However, he added, recent “toxic” statements by some Afghan officials point to growing divisions and duplicity within the Taliban ranks. Those comments, he said, undermine the spirit of dialogue and raised doubts about the movement’s willingness to act against anti-Pakistan militants.

While insisting Pakistan had no desire to topple the Taliban or drive them into hiding, the minister warned that if the Taliban persisted in supporting groups that target Pakistan, Islamabad would not hesitate to use its full capability in response. He invoked historic imagery, saying the world could witness a repeat of past defeats for those who choose aggression, but stressed that Pakistan preferred to resolve matters diplomatically.

Asif accused the Taliban of prioritising the survival of a “war economy” over the welfare of the Afghan people and criticized what he called attempts by certain elements to draw Afghanistan into further conflict. He urged the movement to end patronage of terrorist groups and focus on rebuilding education and prosperity for ordinary Afghans.

Concluding his message, the minister warned the Taliban leadership that challenging Pakistan’s resolve would be costly. He reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to safeguard its citizens and vowed that any adventurism would be met with “firm and uncompromising” measures.