Khawaja Asif asserts Pakistan’s right to retaliate against terrorism from Afghanistan

Defence minister accuses opposition of bringing 6,000 members of TTP in Pakistan

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Friday that terrorism is being exported from Afghanistan to Pakistan, and asserted Pakistan's right to respond in kind.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif said, "Two days ago, I mentioned that terrorism is being exported from Afghanistan to our land, and there is evidence of terrorist hideouts there."

He emphasised, "We also have the right to retaliate in defence of our people."

Asif added, "If both countries want to maintain brotherly relations, nothing could be better."

Addressing the opposition, Asif urged, "I request Asad Qaiser and the opposition not to politicise this issue; it concerns our blood."

He continued, "If they choose to side with terrorists, it will be clear that they support terrorism. They have ties with the Taliban and have brought 6,000 members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) here."

The statement came hours after senior members of the opposition in the National Assembly vehemently condemned the recent statement by Defence Minister Asif in which he “irresponsibly” declared that Pakistan would carry out cross-border strikes in Afghanistan to target terrorists.

Also read: Opposition asks Khawaja Asif to retract statement on cross-border strikes inside Afghanistan

The opposition leaders not only condemned the defence minister’s statement but sought an apology from him, saying such reckless rhetoric is not only inflammatory but also endangers the fragile peace and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Khawaja Asif’s statement has the potential to escalate tensions and spark a wave of terrorism, reversing the efforts made towards regional stability and peace,” Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan said.

“Our focus should be on dialogue and collaboration with our Afghan brothers to combat terrorism, not on threats of unilateral military action,” insisted the opposition leader. PTI chairman Barrister Gohar said that the path to security and prosperity lies in building bridges, not in issuing threats of military aggression.

The meeting of the senior leaders of the opposition and members from ex-FATA and PATA took place in the Opposition Lobby in the National Assembly on Friday. The opposition leaders included PTI’s former NA speaker Asad Qaiser and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, among others.

The Central Apex Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) ad announced on Saturday its plan to launch vision Azm-e-Istehkam to eliminate militant violence in the country amid the opposition parties’ criticism and demand that the matter should have first been discussed in parliament.