Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that Pakistan will have “an open war” with the Afghan Taliban if the ongoing talks in Istanbul fail to produce results. Speaking to the media in Sialkot, he said negotiations between Pakistan and the Taliban leadership were progressing, but any deadlock could lead to serious consequences. Asif emphasized that Pakistan has shown patience for decades, yet continued provocations and cross-border attacks have tested the country’s resolve.
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The minister noted that relative calm had returned to border areas in the last several days, following weeks of heightened tensions. He stressed that Pakistan had hosted Afghan refugees for over forty years, offering shelter and livelihood during difficult times. However, he asserted that the current situation demands strict border control, saying that “those who wish to enter Pakistan must now have valid visas.” The defence minister added that maintaining border discipline was essential to ensuring national security and long-term stability.
Highlighting the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces, Asif said the armed forces were engaged in a decisive fight against terrorism and extremism. He lauded the soldiers for laying down their lives to safeguard the nation’s borders, calling them the country’s true defenders. “We are safe today because of our martyrs,” he said, adding that the people living in tribal areas have shown exceptional bravery in resisting militant infiltration and protecting the homeland from external threats.
In a sharp accusation, the defence minister alleged that India was using the Afghan Taliban as proxies to wage a “second war” against Pakistan. “We have fought one war against India,” he said. “Now, India is fighting another proxy war through Afghan Taliban elements.” Asif asserted that this hybrid strategy aims to destabilize Pakistan internally, but vowed that the nation would respond firmly to any aggression. He reiterated that Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully prepared to defend its sovereignty at all costs.
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Earlier this month, a series of coordinated attacks targeted multiple sites near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, escalating tensions between the two countries. Pakistan responded with aerial strikes on what officials described as militant hideouts across the frontier. The Istanbul talks, brokered by regional partners, are seen as a crucial attempt to prevent further escalation. However, Asif’s warning underscores Islamabad’s frustration with repeated security violations and its determination to ensure peace through strength if diplomacy fails.