Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has raised serious concerns regarding regional security, alleging that India is engaged in a proxy conflict against Pakistan by utilizing Afghan territory. He further claimed that Afghanistan is effectively acting in alignment with Indian interests in this context.
In his remarks, the defence minister also alleged that militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as well as elements associated with the Afghan Taliban, receive external support. However, he did not publicly present specific evidence to substantiate these claims.
Khawaja Asif emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and stability, stating that the country seeks to maintain constructive relations with neighboring states based on mutual respect, cooperation, and non-interference. He reiterated that Pakistan’s foreign policy is rooted in peaceful coexistence and responsible engagement in regional affairs.
The statements come amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and the authorities in Afghanistan, particularly following the return to power of the Afghan Taliban in 2021. Pakistani officials have repeatedly accused the Afghan administration of providing sanctuary to members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other armed groups, alleging that these elements operate from Afghan soil to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan Taliban have consistently rejected these allegations, maintaining that they do not permit the use of Afghan territory against any other country. They have also characterized Pakistan’s security challenges as internal matters.
In recent months, tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban authorities have escalated, with sporadic cross-border incidents and heightened rhetoric contributing to an increasingly fragile security environment in the region.
