Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a stark warning on Friday, declaring that Pakistan will not retreat from its position on cross-border terrorism and demanding the Taliban government in Kabul guarantee that its soil is not used for hostile activities against its neighbour.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the defence minister was unequivocal in his call for cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan to come to a complete halt. ‘Pakistan will not tolerate terrorism, whether it comes from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA),’ he asserted.

Khawaja Asif emphasized that peace in Pakistan is directly dependent on firm assurances from the Afghan administration. ‘The Afghan government must guarantee peace in Pakistan. Without an end to terrorism, there can be no improvement in relations between the two neighbours,’ he stated, adding that any mediators involved in dialogue will be tasked with completely safeguarding Pakistan’s interests.

Highlighting recent diplomatic engagements, Asif pointed to what he described as Pakistan’s rising global stature. ‘Today, the Prime Minister and Field Marshal are being received with great respect in the United States. This reflects an enhancement in Pakistan’s dignity and honour,’ he remarked, urging a focus on national over personal interests.

Turning to domestic matters, the defence minister commented that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and its people appear increasingly isolated. In contrast, he said, residents of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) recognize Islamabad’s sincerity in addressing their concerns.

He concluded his remarks by cautioning that certain groups are not working for Pakistan’s benefit but for ‘external agendas.’ ‘Our national sovereignty defines our worth – without it, we are nothing,’ Khawaja Asif affirmed.