Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that while the Afghan Taliban issue threats and call for talks, they should first act on those threats before seeking negotiations. Speaking on a television talk show, he argued that Pakistan will exercise its right to respond if it is attacked.

Khawaja Asif insisted Pakistan has not targeted Afghan civilian populations, saying Islamabad struck militant hideouts, not residential areas, and questioned the credibility of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Mutqi.

“Those who threaten and then talk about negotiations - let them carry out the threat first, and then we can talk,” he said.

“If any country attacks us, we have the right to respond.”

Militant Sanctuaries and Border Response

The defence minister accused Afghanistan of allowing its territory to be used as a sanctuary by various terrorist groups. He stressed Pakistan's operations were directed at militant sanctuaries rather than civilian communities.

“Afghan soil hosts several terrorist groups. We have targeted sanctuaries of terrorists, not civilian populations,” he said.

Responsibility for Border Security and Refugees

Khawaja Asif also emphasized that border security and refugee policy are federal responsibilities, not provincial. He said decisions on the return or management of Afghan refugees would be handled by the federal government.

“Protecting borders is the federation's responsibility. The matter of Afghan refugees is federal; it will be resolved by the federation,” he stated, adding that Pakistan reserves the right to repatriate those without documentation.
Policy Stance on Afghan Refugees

Reiterating a stance he voiced previously, the defence minister said Pakistan will treat its border like any sovereign nation and that the government's agenda should include facilitating the return of refugees.

“Our agenda must be that those who have sought refuge here should go back,” he said.

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