- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:45 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has delivered one of Islamabad’s bluntest assessments yet of the deteriorating relationship with the Afghan Taliban, admitting that all efforts to rebuild trust have failed and that Pakistan now sees “no hope left” of a positive shift from Kabul. Speaking in an interview with Geo News, Asif said the Taliban had crossed all limits and that Islamabad was effectively “writing them off.”
Asked whether Pakistan was denying civilian casualties during recent alleged cross-border strikes, Asif strongly rejected the claims, insisting that Pakistan’s military is “disciplined” and operates under a strict code of conduct.
“We do react and retaliate, but civilians are not our target at all,” he said. He contrasted this with the Afghan Taliban, whom he described as lacking “a code of conduct, religion, or traditions,” sharply criticising their battlefield ethics and governance style.
Asif stressed that while Pakistan exercised restraint and hoped for improved ties, the Taliban’s behaviour showed no sign of change. “Hope should always be present unless all limits are crossed. But today, we are completely writing them off and we have no good hope from them,” he declared.
Taliban’s Threat Of Retaliation Dismissed
The minister bristled at the Taliban’s statement that any response would be in accordance with Islamic law. Challenging the legitimacy of their interpretation, he asked which Islamic law permits living “in their neighbour’s home for decades and then spilling blood,” a pointed jab at Taliban leaders who lived in Pakistan during the insurgency.
Calling it “self-invented Shariah,” Asif dismissed their warnings as hollow. “There will be no greater idiocy than trusting them,” he said, adding that Islamabad no longer took their statements seriously.
Surge In Terror Attacks
The interview comes in the aftermath of a deadly suicide attack targeting the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar, killing three officers and injuring 11. Pakistani authorities have linked the attack to TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud, allegedly operating from Afghan soil.
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in terrorist incidents attributed to TTP militants using Afghanistan as a safe haven. Despite repeated requests, Kabul has taken no decisive action, forcing Pakistan to conduct targeted operations that reportedly killed several Afghan nationals involved in terrorism.
Asif admitted that Pakistan’s outreach, including his own multiple visits to Afghanistan, yielded no results. “We have gained no dividends, successes, or changes in their behaviour,” he said. With the Taliban unwilling to rein in anti-Pakistan groups, Islamabad now sees “no scope left for any positive change” in the relationship.