Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said Pakistan no longer has any expectations from the de facto rulers in Afghanistan, describing the Afghan Taliban as a “ragtag group.” Speaking on Geo News’ programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Asif said, “It would be folly to trust them. We have tried to remain civil with them, but they have not reciprocated the respect owed to the soil that has hosted two of their generations.” His remarks came a day after a suicide attack at the headquarters of the Federal Constabulary in Peshawar killed three officers and injured 11 others. The attack is part of a rising trend of cross-border terrorism in Pakistan since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud is said to have orchestrated the recent Islamabad suicide attack, which claimed 12 lives, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed. Several Afghan nationals linked to terrorist networks have also been killed in counter-terrorism operations. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have further deteriorated since October, when clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban-backed TTP militants left nearly two dozen Pakistani soldiers martyred. Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes inside Afghanistan, leading to a temporary ceasefire mediated in Doha. Negotiations, however, failed to produce a long-term deal, as Kabul did not provide written commitments against terrorists. Asif noted that countries like Turkey, China, and Qatar are keen on regional peace, which would benefit Pakistan and the broader region. “If the terrorism factory ceases to exist and the Afghan people are allowed to earn a living, it will benefit everyone. But the Afghan Taliban are enemies of their own people,” he said. He dismissed Taliban claims that Pakistan targeted civilians inside Afghanistan, calling them “baseless and non-existent.” Asif emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces operate under strict discipline and a clear code of conduct, contrasting it with the Taliban’s lack of structure and professional standards. “We have exercised restraint and hoped for constructive engagement, but now those expectations have ended. One should hope for good, but we are completely writing them off. We do not expect anything good from them,” he added. Earlier in the day, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of carrying out strikes in Khost, Kunar and Paktika provinces, which he alleged claimed the lives of 10 people. Mustaghfir Gurbuz, a spokesman for the governor of Khost, claimed the strikes were carried out by drones and aircraft. “The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and reiterates that defending its airspace, territory, and people is its legitimate right, and it will respond appropriately at the right time,” Mujahid said in a separate statement. However, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry rejected the accusations, noting that Pakistan has not attacked Afghanistan, calling Mujahid’s remarks “baseless”. Lt Gen Chaudhry said that Pakistan conducts all its attacks openly and never targets civilians, clarifying that the country follows clear principles in its responses. “We are a state and respond only as a state.”
Defence Minister Declares ‘No Hopes’ from Taliban Regime
