ISLAMABAD — Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday accused India of conducting a “low-intensity war” against Pakistan from Afghan territory, saying New Delhi and the Taliban regime maintain long-standing ties that threaten regional stability. In an interview with Al Arabiya English, he claimed the recent unprovoked clashes along the border coincided with a visit by […]
cross-border terrorism
Pakistan-Afghan Taliban peace talks in Istanbul end without breakthrough
ISTANBUL – The third round of peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul ended without progress. The discussions, which lasted nearly 18 hours, aimed to reach a comprehensive peace deal but failed to produce any positive outcome. Diplomatic sources said the Afghan Taliban delegation frequently contacted Kabul, and their stance kept changing […]
Pakistan-Afghanistan talks hit deadlock over TTP safe havens
ISLAMABAD — The two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul ended in a stalemate on Sunday after the Afghan Taliban delegation appeared unwilling to take verifiable action against militant sanctuaries of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups operating from Afghan soil. Despite nearly nine hours of intense negotiations, both sides failed to reach an agreement on […]
Pakistan hopes Afghanistan will establish mechanism
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan expressed optimism on Friday that the upcoming Istanbul round of talks with Afghanistan will lead to the creation of a verifiable monitoring mechanism to curb cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, during his first weekly media briefing, said Pakistan looks forward to “a concrete and verifiable […]
Pakistan, Afghanistan Reach Key Understanding to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism: Khawaja Asif
LAHORE: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached a crucial understanding to jointly combat the growing threat of terrorism along their shared border, following mediation by Qatar and Turkey. پاکستان اور افغانستان کے مابین سیز فائر کا معاہدہ طے پاگیا۔ پاکستان کی سرزمین پہ افغانستان سے دھشت گردی کا سلسلہ فی […]
Pakistan, Afghan delegations hold talks in Doha amid cross-border tensions
ISLAMABAD – Amid escalating tensions along the Pak-Afghan border, the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed on Saturday that a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, is holding talks with an Afghan delegation in Doha, Qatar to address cross-border terrorism and restore regional stability. According to the FO, “The talks will focus on immediate […]
Indo-Afghan Nexus
We’ve heard the term “cross-border terrorism” for so long that it sometimes loses its meaning, becoming a sterile phrase in diplomatic statements. But for the people of Pakistan’s borderlands, and for the soldiers standing guard there, it has never been more real, more brutal, or more clearly orchestrated. The last six months have not just […]
Pakistan Reserves Right to Strike Inside Afghanistan: Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday issued a stern warning to Kabul, declaring that Pakistan reserves the right to carry out retaliatory strikes inside Afghanistan if terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil continue to target Pakistani forces and civilians. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Asif said that Fitna-e-Khawarij elements based in […]
Pakistan Defends Kabul Strikes as ‘Self-Defence’
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday avoided directly confirming reports of Pakistani strikes in Kabul, instead describing the country’s actions as legitimate self-defence against militants operating from Afghan territory. At the weekly briefing, FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan “reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of its people,” while stressing […]