Asif cautions Kabul that “Pakistan has run out of patience over terrorism.”
Pakistan’s patience has run out, and those who provide sanctuary to terrorists “will have to answer,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned the National Assembly on Thursday.
He called on the federal and local governments to support the military and suggested sending a delegation to Afghanistan the following week.
Islamabad needs to inform Afghan authorities that terrorism coming from Afghan territory “is now intolerable,” according to Khawaja Asif. Pakistan warned that militant sanctuaries on Afghan soil were being used to launch attacks into Pakistani districts during an official visit to Afghanistan three years ago, which he attended with the DG ISI.
Asif claimed that Afghan negotiators had allegedly offered to relocate those sanctuaries in exchange for 10 billion rupees, but Islamabad demanded assurances that militants would not return, which Afghanistan was unable to supply.
Deaths and a plea for national cohesion
Recalling recent battlefield casualties, the defense minister said that two officers and nine troops were martyred yesterday. The deceased’ families are in great anguish. In the midst of the danger, he called on the federal government and local leaders to support the Pakistan Army and put aside their political disagreements.
He emphasized that national unity is essential to putting a stop to the evil of terrorism, saying, “Whether federal or provincial, everyone should stand with the forces.”
Terrorist shelterers “will have to answer.”
Asif cautioned that individuals offering sanctuary will face consequences regardless of whether they are located in Afghanistan or Pakistan. “Wherever there are shelters, they will have to suffer,” he declared, adding that the Pakistani military and administration have had enough and that terrorists will no longer be given any more leeway.
He signaled a combination of diplomacy and stern resolve by framing the proposed Kabul delegation as a diplomatic attempt to pressure Afghan officials for action and guarantees.
The charges made against Raja Pervez Ashraf
Raja Pervez Ashraf, the former prime minister, told the assembly that India is responsible for the terrorism that Pakistan has been dealing with.
Recent attempts to discredit Pakistan on the basis of events in India, according to Ashraf, have led to attacks that have killed unarmed citizens.
He praised the military’s conduct and said that Pakistan is proud of its defenders, paying particular attention to the Field Marshal. Despite political divisions, Ashraf cautioned that when national security is at risk, the nation comes together.