Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Asif, has expressed strong reservations about relying on Afghanistan’s current government, stating that past experiences suggest that placing further trust in Kabul could pose serious risks for Pakistan.
He emphasized that while Pakistan has consistently attempted to pursue peaceful engagement and diplomatic dialogue with Afghanistan, the outcomes of those efforts have not always matched expectations, leading to growing concerns in Islamabad about the reliability of the Afghan authorities.
Speaking during a special conversation with Geo News, the defence minister explained that Pakistan has repeatedly prioritized dialogue as the preferred method for resolving disputes with neighboring countries. According to him, Islamabad made several efforts over the years to address sensitive security issues through negotiations rather than confrontation. However, he noted that the behavior and policies adopted by the Afghan government have made it increasingly difficult for Pakistan to maintain confidence in the commitments made by Kabul.
Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan has always believed that stability in Afghanistan is directly linked to peace in the wider region. For this reason, the country invested diplomatic and political efforts in encouraging cooperation with the Afghan leadership. Pakistani officials, he said, engaged their Afghan counterparts on various occasions in an attempt to build mutual understanding and establish mechanisms to address cross-border security challenges.
Despite these efforts, the defence minister argued that certain developments have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of those engagements. He claimed that evidence repeatedly points toward the use of Afghan territory by militant groups involved in attacks inside Pakistan. According to him, this issue has been raised multiple times with Afghan authorities, yet the situation on the ground has not improved significantly.
The minister specifically referred to the activities of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, asserting that the organization continues to operate with support networks linked to Afghanistan. In his view, the persistence of such groups indicates that they benefit from protection or facilitation across the border. Khawaja Asif maintained that without such backing, these militant elements would have lost their operational capacity long ago.
He further stated that Pakistan has consistently urged the Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used for activities that threaten neighboring countries. Islamabad, he said, expects Kabul to take practical steps against groups that plan or coordinate attacks from Afghan soil. However, he expressed disappointment that Pakistan’s repeated concerns have not been addressed to the extent expected.
According to the defence minister, the lack of tangible progress in countering cross-border militancy has forced Pakistan to reconsider the level of trust it can place in Afghanistan’s assurances. He described reliance on Kabul’s commitments as a potentially serious security risk. In his words, the pattern of behavior observed in recent years cannot be accepted either today or in the future if it continues to undermine regional stability.
Khawaja Asif stressed that Pakistan’s primary responsibility is to safeguard its national security and protect its citizens. For that reason, he said, the government must make decisions based on realistic assessments of the situation rather than optimistic assumptions. While Pakistan still supports dialogue as a principle, the country must remain cautious in its dealings with Afghanistan until concrete actions are taken to address security concerns.
He also highlighted the broader regional implications of terrorism, noting that the problem is not confined to a single country. Extremist groups operating across borders threaten the entire region and create obstacles to economic development, political stability, and international cooperation. Pakistan, he said, has repeatedly raised this issue on global platforms to emphasize the need for collective responsibility in tackling militancy.
In addition to discussing security concerns, the defence minister commented on the global economic environment, particularly the impact of rising energy prices. He explained that fluctuations in petroleum prices are affecting economies around the world. These changes, he said, are linked to geopolitical tensions and conflicts in different regions, which in turn disrupt energy markets and influence the cost of fuel and other commodities.
Khawaja Asif also spoke about Pakistan’s relations with Iran, describing Iran as a brotherly country with which Pakistan shares historical, cultural, and religious ties. He noted that both nations have maintained close diplomatic relations over the years and continue to cooperate on various regional matters. According to him, Pakistan values its relationship with Iran and seeks to maintain strong ties based on mutual respect and shared interests.
Beyond Iran, the minister emphasized that Pakistan maintains a sense of solidarity with other Muslim countries as well. He said that cooperation among Islamic nations is important in addressing regional challenges and promoting stability. In his view, unity and coordination among these countries can help prevent conflicts from escalating and create opportunities for peaceful solutions.
Referring to ongoing tensions in parts of the world, Khawaja Asif expressed concern about the potential consequences if conflicts continue to intensify. He warned that prolonged instability could have far-reaching effects on global markets, regional security, and humanitarian conditions. For countries like Pakistan, he added, such developments can bring additional economic pressures and security challenges.
The defence minister expressed hope that the current period of tension will prove temporary and that diplomatic efforts will eventually lead to a resolution. He emphasized that wars and prolonged conflicts rarely produce lasting solutions and often deepen existing problems. Instead, dialogue and negotiated settlements remain the most effective way to achieve sustainable peace.
According to Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s long-term policy remains focused on regional stability and constructive engagement with neighboring countries. However, he stressed that such engagement must be accompanied by genuine commitment from all sides. Trust, he argued, can only be built through consistent actions rather than promises alone.
He concluded by reiterating that Pakistan’s foremost priority is the safety and stability of the country. The government, he said, will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that national interests are protected. At the same time, Pakistan remains willing to support any diplomatic initiative that contributes to peace and cooperation in the region, provided that all parties demonstrate sincerity and responsibility in addressing shared challenges.