Pakistan Issues Stark Warning to Taliban Over Provocations

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister posted a forceful message on Twitter today, sharply criticizing the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan and warning of a strong military response if provoked.

In the tweet the minister said Pakistan entered talks to pursue peace after requests from friendly countries, but called recent statements by some Afghan officials “venomous” and evidence of a “devious and splintered mindset” inside the Taliban regime.

He warned that Pakistan does not need to use its full military power to “completely obliterate the Taliban regime” and said a repeat of scenes like Tora Bora — where militants were routed in the past — would be likely if the Taliban choose confrontation.

The minister accused the Taliban government of pushing Afghanistan back toward conflict to preserve its “war economy” and keep its hold on power. He dismissed the notion of Afghanistan as the “graveyard of empires,” saying instead it has been a “playground of empires” and warned Taliban “war mongers” against testing Pakistan’s resolve.

He also issued a direct warning: any terrorist attack or suicide bombing inside Pakistan would bring a harsh response, and he urged the Taliban not to misread Pakistan’s courage or capability.

The tweet signals a hardening of rhetoric from Islamabad after what the minister described as repeated provocations by Afghan officials. The Defence Minister framed the message as both a warning and a call for the Taliban to refrain from actions that could spark renewed cross-border violence.