- Asif says that in the last 4-5 decades, 5-6 million Afghans have sought refuge in Pakistan.
- Pakistan will use all its resources to protect its land and citizens: Defense Minister
- Defense analyst says that tough decisions will have to be taken to resolve the crisis faced by the country.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday criticized Afghanistan for “not fulfilling its neighborly duty” and failing to abide by the Doha Agreement.
The Defense Minister wrote on Twitter, “In the last 40/50 years, 50/60 lakh Afghans have sought refuge in Pakistan with all rights.
On the contrary, terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis have safe havens on Afghan soil.”
He further wrote that this situation could not continue any longer and expressed his resolve to defend the country.
“Pakistan will use all its resources to protect its land and citizens, insha Allah.”
The defense minister’s remarks came a day after the Pakistan Army expressed serious concern about the freedom of action and safe havens available to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir visited Quetta Garrison on Friday where he was briefed about the recent terrorist attack in Zhob in which nine soldiers were killed.
After his visit, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that it is expected that the interim Afghan government, in true sense and in line with commitments, will not allow its soil to be used to spread terror against any country. Will give in the Doha Agreement.
Why is Afghanistan failing to curb terrorism?
talking to geo newsDefense analyst Lt Gen (R) Naeem Khalid Lodhi advised caution against pointing fingers at Afghanistan.
“Instead of blaming Afghanistan directly, we should try to cooperate and find out who is behind this and which forces are trying to create a rift between the two countries.”
He said that many countries and agencies are hostile towards Pakistan’s proximity with Afghanistan, Iran and China.
Further, replying to Lodhi, another defense analyst, Brigadier (R) Haris Nawaz said that it is clear who does not want Pakistan to have good relations with the mentioned countries.
We know who doesn’t want that. He said, “America and India do not want us to prosper. That is why they have left their weapons there. [in Afghanistan] when they left”.
He further said that tough decisions have to be taken to resolve the crisis facing the country.
