Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan would take any action in Afghanistan in a “clear and unequivocal manner” and emphasised that the country’s security forces do not target civilians under any circumstances. Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, he said Pakistan’s friends in the region were keen to see stability and would intervene diplomatically “very soon” to support peace efforts.
The defence minister warned that the Afghan Taliban were on a path of isolation that could ultimately lead to their own destruction, adding that the end of the “terrorism factory” would open avenues for legitimate livelihoods across the region. He described the Taliban as a “group of self-interested individuals” whose statements could not be taken seriously and said trusting them would be a “grave mistake”. “We have no expectation of goodwill from the Afghan Taliban,” he added.
Asif said Pakistan’s armed forces were highly disciplined and operated under strict codes of conduct, unlike the Taliban, whom he accused of lacking any recognised principles. He questioned the Taliban’s claims of religious legitimacy, asking which version of Sharia they claimed to follow when their actions involved bloodshed and destruction. “In which religion or society is it acceptable to live on land and set it on fire?” he remarked.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability, saying peace would benefit all countries. He added that Afghanistan was free to choose alternative trade routes or pursue ties with any country, including India. “If Afghanistan wants to build relations with India, it is their choice,” he said, stressing that Pakistan’s priority remained a peaceful and stable region.
