Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday warned that if the ongoing talks with Afghanistan fail to yield results, Pakistan will have no choice but to face an “open war” with its western neighbour.Talking to media representatives in Sialkot, the minister said Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies are laying down their lives to protect the nation.“We sleep in peace because our protectors remain awake. Our soldiers and police are sacrificing their lives so that this country remains safe,” he said.
Khawaja Asif lamented Afghanistan’s unfriendly attitude despite Pakistan’s decades of support and hospitality toward Afghan refugees.“For forty years we have hosted Afghans generously. Those negotiating in Doha today grew up in Pakistan. Yet despite such hospitality, Afghanistan continues to act as India’s proxy,” he remarked.
The minister said Afghan refugees have occupied much of the country’s job market and business opportunities, creating an economic burden.“Our only agenda should be to live peacefully and with goodwill as neighbours but peace cannot come at the cost of our sovereignty,” he stated.
He said the second round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan is underway in Türkiye, where officials are reviewing the implementation of points agreed upon in the Doha negotiations, including the ceasefire and mutual respect for borders. “For the past few days, no major incident has occurred, but if talks collapse, we will have to take decisive action,” he warned.
The Defence Minister’s remarks come at a time when Pakistan and Afghanistan are attempting to restore stability along the border amid mounting security concerns and repeated cross-border attacks.
