Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan cannot return to normal unless the Afghan government stops providing space or support to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the minister emphasized that Pakistan has made consistent efforts to maintain friendly relations with Afghanistan, but the continued cross-border militancy and lack of cooperation from Kabul have made normalization “nearly impossible.”
Asif warned that Pakistan’s patience is running thin, urging the Afghan administration to take decisive action against militant groups using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. He stressed that both countries must adopt mutual respect and non-interference to establish long-term peace and regional stability.
The minister added that Pakistan has always supported peace efforts in Afghanistan and hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades. However, the current wave of militancy has heightened security concerns along the border. Analysts say that the Afghan Taliban’s reluctance to act against the TTP remains one of the biggest hurdles in achieving peace.
In his statement, Asif also pointed out that Pakistan’s internal security and political stability are interlinked with regional peace. As part of its broader governance efforts, 10 ministers recently took oath in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet an initiative aimed at strengthening provincial administration and maintaining law and order.
He reaffirmed that Islamabad wants a relationship based on cooperation rather than confrontation but made it clear that the onus now lies on Kabul to control extremist elements operating from its soil.
Political observers believe Asif’s statement signals a tougher diplomatic stance by Pakistan as tensions rise over cross-border attacks. The government is reportedly reviewing its regional security policies to prevent further escalation while pursuing diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan.
