Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has again urged the Taliban to rein in militant groups operating from Afghan territory, warning that Islamabad would not hesitate to carry out further airstrikes inside Afghanistan if no action is taken.
Speaking to France 24, Asif alleged that attacks inside Pakistan are carried out with Taliban support.
Asked about Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan last year and whether such action remains an option, he said: “We always have that option and we can exercise that option. There is absolutely no hesitation.”
He added that if authorities in Kabul could guarantee peace, there would be no hostility, but accused them of continuing to “patronise” militants and acting as “co-conspirators”.
According to Asif, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic State group, among others, are present in Afghanistan. He alleged that the Taliban have provided safe havens for these groups.
The Pakistani defence minister also claimed that India, together with the Taliban and militant groups active in Afghanistan, is operating on the same front.
In a separate interview with Deutsche Welle, Asif said Pakistan has lost influence in Afghanistan to other regional countries.
His remarks come amid a surge in deadly militant attacks in Pakistan in recent weeks. In one of the latest incidents, a suicide bombing in Islamabad killed 33 worshippers and wounded 69 others.
