ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday voiced skepticism about the 48-hour Pakistan Afghanistan ceasefire, claiming that the Afghan Taliban have become a “proxy of Delhi” and are waging a “proxy war” on India’s behalf.
Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada ke Saath, Asif said he did not believe the ceasefire would hold due to India’s alleged involvement. “I have my doubts that the ceasefire will hold, because the [Afghan] Taliban are being sponsored by Delhi,” he remarked. “Right now, Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi.”
Today’s exchange of fire marked the third major clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan within a week, following the incident in Kurram last night and earlier skirmishes that began on Saturday night and extended into Sunday morning across multiple locations.
The defence minister reiterated that Pakistan has both the capacity and the resolve to defend itself in the event of further aggression. “We have the capability and we will attack them, God willing, if they escalate or widen the radius of this war,” he stated. “There have been deep strikes in Afghanistan and a ceasefire was agreed on after the intervention of friendly countries, but it is fragile. I don’t believe this will last long.”
Asif said Pakistan remains open to dialogue but warned that any violation of the ceasefire or attack on its border areas would invite a strong response. “If they bombard our border areas or attack our posts, then we have to respond in kind,” he emphasized. “We do not want to fight, but if we are attacked, we have the right to respond.”
Commenting on disinformation emerging from Afghanistan, Asif endorsed the ceasefire but criticized Kabul for spreading “false claims.” “I endorse the 48-hour ceasefire, but there has been a wave of lies coming from Kabul,” he said. “They are showing videos claiming they have captured a Pakistani tank; we do not have those tanks in our inventory. They probably bought it from some junk dealer.”
Asked about the Pakistan Air Force’s role, Asif refrained from sharing operational details but asserted that Pakistan reserves the right to strike anywhere inside Afghanistan if required. “Pakistan has the right and the capability to bomb or attack any part of Afghanistan,” he said.
Responding to a question about whether the mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia could be invoked, the minister noted that friendly countries would “effectively intervene” but described such possibilities as speculative at this stage.
Islamabad has consistently urged Kabul to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. However, Afghanistan rejects these allegations, insisting that its soil is not used for hostilities against neighbouring nations.The issue of militants operating from Afghan territory has long strained Pakistan Afghanistan relations, with tensions deepening amid the recent escalation of border hostilities.
