Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that 3,844 Pakistanis, including soldiers and civilians, were martyred since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021. He added that 10,347 terror incidents happened during this period. Asif shared these figures in a post on X, giving a detailed update on Pakistan’s security and diplomatic efforts. He said Pakistan made repeated attempts to engage Afghanistan but saw no real cooperation. These losses, he noted, have deeply hurt national peace and security.
Asif said Pakistan sent top officials to Kabul many times for dialogue. The foreign minister visited four times, while the defence minister and DG ISI went twice. The foreign secretary and special envoy made five visits each. A joint committee met eight times to discuss security concerns. Pakistan also sent 836 protest letters and held 225 flag meetings with Afghan officials. Despite these efforts, he said, there was no positive response from Kabul.
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The minister accused the Afghan Taliban of siding with India and supporting anti-Pakistan groups. He said the TTP and BLA operate freely from Afghan soil. He claimed Afghanistan has become a proxy for India, which is using it to fuel terrorism. Asif said many Afghans found shelter in Pakistan for years, but now some are acting against the host country. He warned that such double standards could no longer be tolerated.
Asif stressed that Pakistan must end five decades of open-door policy for Afghan refugees. He said Pakistan’s land and resources belong to its people, not foreigners. He called for the complete return of all Afghans living illegally in Pakistan. He added that Pakistan will no longer send delegations or rely on letters to address terror threats. It will now defend its interests directly and with strength.
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In conclusion, Asif said Pakistan must treat Afghanistan strictly as a neighbouring country. He warned that any country supporting terrorists would face consequences. The minister declared there would be no more appeals or patience. He made it clear that Pakistan will protect its citizens by all necessary means.