No peace with Afghanistan unless TTP sanctuaries are dismantled, says Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan cannot be achieved until the Taliban regime in Kabul ends its support for the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and stops cross-border infiltration.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Asif said infiltration from Afghan soil continues “in some form,” and Pakistan reserves the right to respond wherever necessary. “Peaceful relations with our neighbour are only possible if all support for the TTP is completely ended,” he said. The minister added that several within the Afghan administration are backing terrorist groups operating against Pakistan.

He stressed that Kabul must guarantee peace and prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities, adding that Pakistan will not tolerate any group – whether the TTP or Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) – engaging in violence against the state.

Ceasefire agreement

Asif confirmed that an interim ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan was reached on Thursday night under the mediation of Turkiye and Qatar. The next round of talks will take place in Istanbul on 6th November, where both sides will finalise the modalities of the truce.

According to a joint statement released by Turkiye’s foreign ministry, the meetings were held in Istanbul from 25th to 30th October, following earlier discussions in Doha on 18-19 October. Both countries agreed to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure compliance and impose penalties for violations.

Pakistan’s stance

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad does not wish to escalate tensions with Afghanistan but expects the Taliban regime to prevent the use of its territory against Pakistan. “Pakistan made it clear that Afghanistan must prevent such activities,” Andrabi said, noting that evidence has repeatedly been shared regarding the operations of “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” within Afghan borders.

Pakistan seeks to avoid further tension with Afghanistan: FO

He added that Pakistan will defend its sovereignty “under all circumstances” and has responded strongly to recent aggression along the border.

Pak-Afghan border conflict

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have intensified since the Taliban takeover in 2021, with Pakistan witnessing a surge in terror attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. On 12 October, unprovoked firing from the Afghan side led to clashes in which 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred and over 200 militants were killed in retaliatory action.

Despite hostilities, Pakistan accepted Kabul’s request for a temporary ceasefire on 17th October, paving the way for mediated peace talks that now continue under Turkiye’s facilitation.