Pakistan defence minister calls Afghanistan ‘number one enemy’, says will no longer tolerate terrorism from Afghan soil

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has called Afghanistan his country’s “number one enemy” during a fiery speech in the National Assembly, as reported by CNN-News18. He used the statement to defend Pakistan’s ongoing drive to expel Afghan refugees. Asif said Pakistan had shown “too much kindness” for many years by allowing millions of Afghans to live in the country, but that generosity had been repaid with betrayal. He claimed many Afghans are running businesses in Pakistan while also holding power in Afghanistan. He further alleged that some members of the Afghan Taliban have families living in Pakistan but are helping anti-Pakistan groups such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The minister accused Afghan residents of showing no loyalty to Pakistan, saying that even after building successful lives and businesses there, they “don’t say Pakistan Zindabad.” He blamed the large refugee population, especially those without legal documents. for the sharp rise in cross-border terrorist attacks since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

Afghan soil being used against Pakistan 

Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan had already discussed the problem of cross-border terrorism with the Afghan Taliban during a visit to Kabul three years ago, but their response was unclear and non-committal.

“We told Afghan officials that around 6,000 to 7,000 people living on their land were a threat to Pakistan,” Asif said. He added that Afghan authorities had even suggested a deal to move those groups to western Afghanistan in exchange for money.

Asif gave a sharp warning to the Afghan Taliban, saying Pakistan has run out of patience with militants using Afghan land to attack Pakistan. Addressing the National Assembly, Asif said “Enough is enough,” warning that Pakistan would no longer tolerate terrorism from Afghan soil.

He was quoted by Dawn that Pakistan will not tolerate people who hide or help terrorists whether they are in Pakistan or Afghanistan and that there will be consequences for anyone who does.

The minister said Pakistan would now take immediate diplomatic action to tackle the issue. He suggested sending a senior delegation to Kabul soon to deliver a strong warning and demand that the Afghan government act against terror groups operating from its territory.

The minister’s comments come at a time of rising tensions along the Durand Line, where both countries have reportedly exchanged fire and carried out airstrikes. Pakistan is also upset over Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent visit to New Delhi, which it sees as a major diplomatic setback and a sign of losing influence over the Taliban.

This tough attitude explains the backdrop of Pakistan’s ongoing deportation drive that started in October 2023. The government says the move to remove all foreigners without legal papers is necessary for national security, as it links the growing wave of militant attacks to illegal residents in the country.

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