Khawaja Asif Asserts Pakistan-Afghanistan Ties Dependent on Halting TTP Sponsorship

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan cannot normalize until the latter completely ends its support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In an interview, Khawaja Asif confirmed that an interim agreement was reached last night between Pakistan and Afghanistan under the mediation of Qatar and Turkey. He added that a subsequent round of talks is scheduled for November 6, during which the operational mechanism of the agreement will be finalized.

Highlighting Pakistan’s primary demand, the Defence Minister said that cross-border incursions originating from Afghan territory must cease immediately. While he refrained from holding the entire Afghan government accountable, he noted that many elements within the government continue to facilitate these incursions.

Khawaja Asif confirmed that a ceasefire is currently in place and that the interim agreement mandates its continuation. Nevertheless, he acknowledged ongoing violations by Afghan forces and emphasized Pakistan’s right to respond. A monitoring and verification mechanism will be instituted to ensure adherence to the agreement, particularly on the Afghan side, to prevent any further incursions by groups under Afghan sponsorship.

The Defence Minister stressed that normal relations with Afghanistan are only feasible if TTP sponsorship is fully terminated. He noted that the upcoming working group meeting in Istanbul on November 6 would gradually establish the detailed mechanism for implementing the agreement. Khawaja Asif praised the role of mediators Qatar and Turkey, expressing hope that their efforts lead to successful outcomes.

Khawaja Asif highlighted that the practical implementation of the agreement is essential. Although limited progress has been made, he warned that until cross-border incursions cease, the agreement cannot achieve its intended effect. He described a “small ray of hope” emerging due to pressure from the mediators but expressed skepticism about Afghanistan’s guarantee to fully halt incursions.

Criticism of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM

Turning to domestic issues, Khawaja Asif criticized statements from the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regarding national security, calling them disappointing. He condemned the notion of running the province under a system dictated by one individual, stating that the Niazi law currently guiding KP governance “will not work.”

Khawaja Asif underlined that Pakistan is engaged in a struggle for national survival, not an individual, and described any claim that the country cannot function without the Niazi law as anti-national. He further asserted that as a federal stakeholder, the KP CM should participate constructively in national affairs rather than subordinating the country’s interests to a single individual.

Warning Against Personal Interests Jeopardizing National Security

The Defence Minister warned that focusing national policy around one person’s directives risks Pakistan’s survival and indirectly aids terrorism. He added that such actions strengthen Afghanistan’s position in negotiations at Pakistan’s expense.