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KABUL – Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has issued a stern warning that relations with Afghanistan cannot return to normal until Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operations from Afghan soil are halted. “If we want to live side by side like neighbours, this will only be possible if all support for the TTP is completely ended,” Asif said, describing the recent ceasefire agreement with Kabul as temporary and conditional.
He emphasized that unless cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan stops, any agreement remains ineffective. Pakistan has accused Afghan authorities of providing sanctuary to TTP leadership, enabling attacks inside Pakistan’s north-west regions, while Kabul has resisted these demands, citing domestic sovereignty.
The Afghan side responded by urging dialogue without threats and called for sincere, detailed discussions to find solutions benefiting both nations. The TTP has resurged since 2021, exploiting porous borders to launch attacks in Pakistan, and Asif’s remarks indicate Islamabad may resume unilateral action if Afghan authorities fail to act.
The next high-level meeting between the two sides is scheduled for 6 November in Istanbul, with Pakistan insisting on a practical enforcement mechanism, including monitoring and verification of compliance. For Islamabad, the TTP issue is now the decisive factor in normalising ties, and without tangible Afghan action against militants, relations are expected to remain strained with the potential for escalation.
