Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan is ready to respond if the Afghan Taliban wants conflict. Speaking on a television programme, he stated that Pakistan would fulfil the Taliban’s wish for war if they chose aggression.
Khawaja Asif explained that the Taliban are paying a heavy price for their actions, adding that earlier calls for dialogue with them now seem misplaced. He confirmed that Pakistan is in contact with Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries regarding the situation.
The minister also issued a warning about a possible threat from India, saying that Pakistan’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any attack. He emphasized that Pakistan is currently facing challenges on two fronts, external and internal, and a domestic front could emerge if unity is not maintained.
Asif recalled that in previous years, Pakistan did not deploy troops on the Afghan border, and people crossed freely without passports. He mentioned that even during wars with India, Pakistan never withdrew soldiers from that side.
He called for unity among political leaders to combat terrorism, stressing that terrorism is a national issue that requires collective effort.
The defence minister also confirmed that Pakistan is increasing its troop presence in Saudi Arabia and may consider sending troops to Gaza if the situation demands it. He noted that Pakistan is among the top contributors of peacekeeping forces in the world and stands ready to support international peace efforts when required.
