Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government on Wednesday that Pakistan would respond if Kabul continued supporting militants across the border.
Addressing the National Assembly in Islamabad, Asif said there was “no difference between Delhi and Kabul” and accused the Afghan administration of acting as an Indian proxy.
The minister said Kabul was giving only verbal commitments and refusing written assurances to stop cross-border terrorism against Pakistan.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warns of “open war” with Afghanistan after deadly militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Asif accuses Kabul of acting as India’s proxy and sheltering militants targeting Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/lnV9DSbEJs
— Subodh Kumar (@kumarsubodh_) May 13, 2026The minister said Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had supported talks with the Taliban administration. However, he said those efforts had not produced concrete assurances..
Asif said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had not cooperated with the federal government on security matters for a long time, though coordination had now improved.
Opposition members shouted slogans during the speech as Asif praised Pakistan’s armed forces for their sacrifices.
Read: Pakistan Demarche Taliban Over Bannu Terror Attack
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to stop militants from using Afghan soil for attacks against Islamabad.
