Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has hinted the possibility of action against terrorists inside Afghanistan before Ramadan, saying that terrorism originating from Afghan soil continues unabated.
In an interview on Tuesday, the Pakistan Muslim League-N leader spoke about the situation in Afghanistan, security challenges, and domestic politics.
Khawaja Asif said that terrorism from Afghanistan has not stopped. “If they are merely spectators, then they are complicit,” he remarked. “I cannot give a final timeline, but I will say that we will have to respond as soon as possible.”
The defense minister added that third parties are engaged in negotiations and they must also realize that the cost of delays is being borne by Pakistan. “We are ready to talk, but it cannot happen that the very next day their people carry out attacks inside Pakistan,” he said.
He further said that some level of contact remains with the Afghan Taliban’s interim government. “No one is presenting a concrete proposal, but if some want to return or be resettled elsewhere, then a solution can be found,” he said.
Meanwhile, the defense minister termed Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s remarks about the Pakistan Army as irresponsible, saying that the opposition leader had described the armed forces as an army of “four districts,” which he called an inappropriate statement.
