‘Poisonous’ statements by Afghan officials hint at growing discord within Taliban leadership: Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that, if necessary, Pakistan could defeat the Taliban regime and set an example for the world.

Commenting on the failed talks in Istanbul, Khawaja Asif said the Afghan Taliban regime had repeatedly sought negotiations with Pakistan through “brotherly countries”, and Pakistan had accepted the offer in the interest of peace. He added that some “poisonous” statements by Afghan officials suggested growing discord and duplicity within the Taliban leadership, Express News reported.

He said Pakistan did not need to use its full force to dismantle the Taliban or drive them into hiding. “If required, we could defeat them in places such as Tora Bora and set an example for people everywhere,” he said, calling it “a spectacle the international community would watch with interest”.

He accused the Taliban of dragging Afghanistan into another conflict to preserve their rule and wartime economy.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks in Doha, both sides said on October 19, after a week of fierce border clashes, the worst violence between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

Read: Pakistan, Afghanistan peace negotiations deadlocked

The two countries met again in Istanbul on October 25 to chalk out “detailed matters”. However, the talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul have failed to yield any breakthrough on Islamabad’s key demand for a clear plan of action to dismantle terrorist infrastructure operating from Afghan soil.

Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar confirmed on Tuesday on his social media platform X account that dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul had failed.

“The dialogue thus failed to bring about any workable solution. We thank the Governments of Qatar and Turkiye, and other friendly states, for their support and sincere efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the problem of terrorism,” the minister wrote.

Read more: Istanbul talks collapse as Taliban refuse to act against terror groups

Mr Asif said Taliban officials, aware of their weaknesses and the reality behind their warlike claims, were “beating the drum of war” in a failed attempt to salvage their reputation among Afghans. “If the Afghan Taliban remain intent on destroying Afghanistan and its innocent people, then so be it — whatever happens will happen,” he said. He also rejected the notion that Pakistan was an “empire”, saying Islamabad did not see itself in those terms.

The defence minister said Afghanistan, because of the Taliban, had become little more than a graveyard for its own people. While historically dubbed the “graveyard of empires”, he said the country had long served as a stage for great-power rivalry. He warned militants seeking to profit from regional instability that they had misjudged Pakistan’s resolve.

“If the Taliban regime attempts to fight, the world will see their threats were mere bluster,” Mr Asif said. “Pakistan will not tolerate any terrorist or suicide attack on its soil, and any adventurism will be met with a firm and bitter response.”

He urged the Taliban to be mindful of their fate, warning that testing Pakistan’s determination and capabilities would prove very costly.

Also read: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict

According to sources familiar with the discussions during talks in Istanbul, the Afghan delegation repeatedly displayed obstructionist behaviour and avoided direct answers. Some members reportedly used provocative, dismissive, and even insulting language during the meetings, leaving Turkish and Qatari mediators surprised at their posture.

Tensions escalated after unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban regime

Tensions along the Pak-Afghan border escalated on October 11, when clashes broke out after Afghanistan opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan Army. Several Afghan posts were destroyed and dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants were killed.

“The Pakistan Army responded immediately and decisively,” security sources said. “The counteroffensive effectively targeted and destroyed multiple Afghan posts on the border. Dozens of Afghan soldiers and Khwarij were killed in retaliatory fire”.

A 48-hour ceasefire was agreed on at the behest of the Afghan Taliban regime after Pakistan’s “precision strikes” on Taliban and terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul.

According to the foreign affairs ministry, the decision was made at the Taliban’s request and with mutual consent from both sides. Both the parties are to hold a constructive dialogue and make sincere efforts to find a “positive solution to a complex but solvable issue,” said the ministry.