As peace negotiations with Kabul’s Taliban government falter in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Asif accuses the Afghan regime of being controlled by New Delhi and issues threats of a “50-times stronger” response if Islamabad is attacked.
The Key Claims & Comments
- In a primetime interview on Geo News, Pakistan’s defence minister alleged that Kabul was serving as a proxy for India: “Whenever we got close to an agreement … they called Kabul and back-pedalled from the deal,” he said.
- He further asserted: “India wants to engage in a low-intensity war with Pakistan. To achieve this, they are using Kabul.”
- On the possibility of Afghan aggression, Asif warned: “If Afghanistan even looks at Islamabad, we will gouge their eyes out … a response 50 times stronger.”
- The remarks came as talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, appeared to collapse after earlier border clashes and a fragile ceasefire.
Why This Moment Is Critical
- Pakistan and Afghanistan had recently signed a ceasefire agreement following intense cross-border fighting — the worst in years.
- With those negotiations faltering, Asif’s rhetoric marks a sharp escalation in Pakistan’s posture: transforming diplomatic pressure into open military-threat language.
- The accusations carry significant implications: linking India with the Afghan regime frames the conflict as a broader triangular dynamic (Pakistan-Afghanistan-India) rather than a bilateral issue.
- From a regional-security standpoint, threats of “open war” signal heightened risk of renewed hostilities along the 2,611 km Pakistan-Afghanistan border (Durand Line).
What to Watch Next
- Whether the Afghan side (Taliban government) issues direct diplomatic replies or retaliatory claims about Pakistan’s role or India’s influence.
- If Pakistan pursues unilateral action (air strikes, cross-border operations) citing Afghanistan’s “failure” to act — this could undo the ceasefire.
- The role of mediators such as Qatar and Turkey: Will they attempt to salvage talks or step back in the face of Asif’s militant tone?
- How New Delhi responds (officially or quietly) to being implicated in this narrative of proxy involvement and whether that shifts India’s regional policy.
