Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stark warning to the Taliban government, saying Pakistan will be forced to close its trade corridor if they continue their attacks. In his speech on Thursday, he emphasized the importance of maintaining peace between the two nations.
He stressed that as early as February 2023, he had urged the Taliban to refrain from obstructing Kabul’s progress due to the aid provided by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during the 20-year conflict. Asif expressed concern over the failure of the Taliban government to curb attacks on Pakistan and highlighted the pernicious role played by the banned TTP.
Despite efforts to establish peaceful relations, he lamented Afghanistan’s reluctance to address the issue of TTP militants operating within its borders. As tensions escalated, Asif questioned the rationale behind the trade corridor being granted to a nation that considers Pakistan an adversary.
He stressed that Pakistan seeks friendly relations with Afghanistan but cannot ignore the security threats posed by militant groups. In the face of continued aggression, Asif maintained that Pakistan reserved the right to protect its interests, including the option of closing the trade corridor.
