Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has denounced recent remarks by the Taliban’s spokesperson as “malicious and misleading,” asserting that the Taliban regime bears full responsibility for ongoing repression against women, minorities, and ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
Responding to claims by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who alleged divisions between Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, Asif said there is “complete unity” in Islamabad’s stance on national security and policy toward Afghanistan.
“The Afghan spokesperson’s comments are baseless,” Asif wrote in a post on X, stressing that all segments of Pakistan’s leadership share a single vision regarding cross-border security and peace.
He accused the Taliban of providing “treacherous support for terrorism,” with Indian backing, and said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa understand the threats emanating from across the border.
Four years into power, Asif said, the Taliban have failed to deliver on promises made to the international community and now seek to conceal their internal divisions and governance failures through inflammatory rhetoric.
The minister further charged that the regime in Kabul continues to suppress freedoms of expression, education, and political participation. He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s approach to countering cross-border terrorism and the ideology of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains unified, unwavering, and focused on protecting its citizens.
