In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan of working under India’s influence to create instability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Speaking to Geo News, Asif claimed that India has “penetrated” the Kabul government and is waging a “proxy war” against Pakistan through Afghanistan.
“India has penetrated the government in Kabul. New Delhi has started a proxy war through Afghanistan. There should not be any doubt on this,” Asif said. He further revealed that recent peace talks in Turkey collapsed after the Afghan side “changed its stance four or five times.” According to him, “whenever we got close to an agreement, Kabul intervened, and the deal was withdrawn.”
Asif Vows Retaliation Against Any Afghan Aggression
Issuing a stern warning, Asif declared that any attack on Pakistan will be met with retaliation “50 times over.” His statement reflects the growing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, as both sides continue to blame each other for recent border clashes.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Talks Collapse in Istanbul
The four-day peace talks in Istanbul, which followed earlier negotiations in Doha, ended without an agreement. Pakistan’s Information Minister confirmed that discussions failed due to Kabul’s refusal to act against militants accused of launching cross-border attacks. The earlier Doha round had resulted in a temporary ceasefire on October 19, after deadly border clashes left dozens dead — including civilians, soldiers, and militants.
Minister Tariq Fatemi stated that Pakistan only entered the peace process at the request of friendly nations such as Qatar and Turkey. Despite Pakistan’s efforts, he noted that the Taliban’s unwillingness to cooperate led to the breakdown in talks.
Pakistan Accuses Taliban of Sheltering Militants
Islamabad continues to accuse the Taliban government of providing safe haven to anti-Pakistan militants, a charge that Kabul consistently denies. Afghan authorities have yet to officially respond to Asif’s latest comments, while state media in both nations reported an impasse, with each side blaming the other for the failed negotiations.
