Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a fierce warning to the Afghan Taliban, saying Pakistan would “completely obliterate” the regime if militants carried out another attack on its soil. His remarks came after peace talks between the two neighbours in Istanbul collapsed without progress.
In a post on X, Asif threatened to push the Taliban “back into the caves,” reminding them of “their rout at Tora Bora with their tails between their legs.”
Khawaja Asif’s Harsh Warning to Taliban
Asif said Pakistan agreed to the Istanbul dialogue only at the request of “brotherly countries” that wanted to give peace another chance. However, he accused Afghan officials of “venomous statements” and a “fractured mindset.”
“Let me assure them that Pakistan does not require to employ even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime and push them back to the caves for hiding,” Asif said.
He added, “If they wish so, the repeat of the scenes of their rout at Tora Bora with their tails between the legs would surely be a spectacle to watch for the people of the region.”
The defence minister accused the Taliban of harbouring militants responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan and said that their “warmongers” had personal interests in continued chaos.
‘Their Threats Are Only a Performative Circus’
In a sharp rebuke, Asif said the Taliban’s warnings would not intimidate Pakistan.
“If the Taliban regime wants to fight, the world will INSHAALLAH see that their threats are only performative circus!” he declared.
He added, “We have borne your treachery and mockery for too long, but no more. Any terrorist attack or any suicide bombing inside Pakistan shall give you the bitter taste of such misadventures. Be rest assured and test our resolve and capabilities, if you wish so, at your own peril and doom.”
Responding to the Taliban’s claim that Afghanistan is the “graveyard of empires,” Asif retorted, “Pakistan certainly doesn’t claim to be an empire, but Afghanistan is definitely a graveyard, surely for its own people. Never a graveyard of empires but certainly a playground of empires you have been throughout history.”
Peace Talks Collapse After Istanbul Dialogue
The comments followed an early morning announcement by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirming that Istanbul peace talks had failed. He blamed the Taliban government in Kabul for refusing to take action against cross-border militants.
An earlier round of talks in Doha on October 19 had led to a temporary ceasefire, but Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters responsible for deadly attacks.
Kabul, on the other hand, accused Islamabad of violating Afghan airspace and allowing US drone flights, which it says derail peace efforts.
Analysts Warn of Rising Tensions in South Asia
Analysts believe Asif’s remarks signal a dangerous escalation that could push the two countries toward open confrontation. Experts say both sides are using harsh rhetoric to rally domestic support amid growing insecurity along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Observers also point out that Pakistan’s internal political instability could further complicate its ability to manage another full-blown conflict with Kabul.
