Pakistan’s Political and Military Leadership United Against Cross-Border Terrorism: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
Islamabad:Defence Minister **Khawaja Asif** has strongly reacted to the **misleading statement** issued by the Afghan Taliban, asserting that Pakistan’s **political and military leadership** are on the same page and that **decisive actions** against cross-border terrorism will continue.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Khawaja Asif said the **Afghan Taliban are involved in terrorism through Indian proxies**, while their own government faces **internal divisions and instability**.
He added that the Taliban’s oppression of **women, children, and minorities** reflects their true face, noting that the group has failed to fulfil its **international commitments even after four years in power**. According to the defence minister, the Taliban are **acting on the agenda of external elements**.
Khawaja Asif emphasized that Pakistan’s **Afghan policy** is based on **national interest and regional peace**, and there is **complete consensus** within the country’s political and military leadership on this approach.
افغان ترجمان کی جانب سے بدنیتی پر مبنی اور گمراہ کن تبصروں پر واضح کرناچاہتاہوں کہ
افغانستان کے حوالے سے پاکستان کی سیکیورٹی پالیسیوں پر تمام پاکستانیوں بشمول ملک کی سیاسی اور عسکری قیادت میں مکمل اتفاق رائے موجود ہے۔
پاکستانی عوام بالخصوص خیبر پختونخواہ کے لوگ، افغان طالبان…
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 1, 2025
He stated that Pakistan will continue to take **decisive action against cross-border terrorism**, adding that **false statements cannot change the facts** and that **trust can only be restored through concrete actions**.
Earlier, Pakistan had **rejected the misleading remarks** made by Afghan government spokesperson **Zabihullah Mujahid** regarding the Istanbul talks. The **Ministry of Information and Broadcasting** clarified that the Afghan side had distorted the facts and that Pakistan had demanded the **arrest of terrorists operating from Afghan soil**.
The ministry added that Pakistan had offered to take **immediate custody** of the terrorists and made it clear that their **handover could be facilitated through designated border entry points**.
