Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict: Khawaja Asif issues warning to Taliban, says only war if truce talks fail

As Pakistan and Afghanistan prepare to resume crucial peace talks in Turkey today, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stark warning that if the negotiations collapse, it would force them to get into a ‘war’ with the Taliban.

The minister’s blunt remarks came during an interview with Geo TV on the eve of the third round of dialogue, which will follow two earlier rounds in Doha and Istanbul that ended without a breakthrough. “If the negotiations fail, the situation will deteriorate further. We have our options. Considering how we are being targeted, we may respond in the same manner,” Asif said.

The talks are being closely watched after a fragile ceasefire was brokered between the two neighbours following brief cross-border clashes earlier this month. Turkey has been mediating to revive the process, which has so far stumbled over Pakistan’s demands that Kabul act decisively against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

At a weekly press briefing last week, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed the meeting and expressed hope for “a positive outcome”. He emphasised that Pakistan will keep “engaging in the mediation process” but warned that peace hinges on Afghanistan’s willingness to prevent terrorist activity from its territory.

“Pakistan has engaged with the Taliban regime without compromising on its position that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” Andrabi said, adding that Islamabad expected “concrete and verifiable action” against TTP elements.

The first round of talks took place in Doha on October 18-19, followed by a second round in Istanbul from October 25, which stretched for several days before concluding last week. Both sides agreed to maintain the ceasefire, but officials acknowledge that deep mistrust persists.

Asif, meanwhile, dismissed Kabul’s claim that TTP fighters are merely “Pakistani refugees” returning home. “How can refugees come back carrying heavy weapons and sneaking through mountain routes like thieves? This very argument exposes Afghanistan’s insincerity and ill intent,” he said.

Furthermore, Asif added that relations with Afghanistan “cannot return to normal” until the Taliban government takes firm steps to stop cross-border attacks. “I won’t blame the entire Afghan government, but many within its ranks are clearly supporting these groups,” he added.

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