ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a strong statement on Saturday, expressing his disappointment with Afghanistan’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities as a neighbor and adhere to the Doha agreement.
Through his official Twitter account, the defense minister highlighted that Pakistan has been generously accommodating approximately 5 to 6 million Afghan refugees over the past four to five decades, providing them with full rights and support. However, he criticized the fact that despite this goodwill gesture, certain terrorist elements, who have caused harm and loss of life to Pakistani citizens, find safe havens within Afghan territory.
The defense minister emphasized that this situation cannot be tolerated any longer, and he made a firm commitment to safeguarding Pakistan and its people. He reassured the nation that Pakistan would employ all its available resources and capabilities to protect its land and citizens, trusting in the divine will, saying, “Insha Allah” (God willing).
The defense minister’s remarks followed closely after the Pakistan Army expressed grave concerns about the existence of safe havens and the freedom of action granted to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan. General Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), personally visited Quetta Garrison to be briefed on the recent terrorist attack in Zhob, where nine brave soldiers lost their lives.
In response to this situation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement, stating that they expect the interim Afghan government to ensure that its soil is not used for carrying out terrorist activities against any country, as agreed upon in the Doha agreement.
