Islamabad — Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the nation must unite against terrorism and lend full support to the Pakistan Armed Forces, adding that political activity will continue but now is the time to stand behind the military.
He revealed that during a visit to Kabul three years ago he warned the then Afghan authorities that militants were operating from their territory into Pakistan.
He told officials that some 6,000–7,000 fighters were based in Afghanistan and carrying out sabotage inside Pakistan; Kabul offered to repatriate and settle them only if Pakistan provided 10 billion rupees.
Pakistan sought guarantees that those fighters would not return to militancy, but the Afghan side would not provide such assurances.
Asif warned that adversaries posing as friends are being used by others to undermine Pakistan.
He said he plans to visit Kabul within two days to deliver a clear message that tolerance has reached its limit and further provocations will be met with action.
He lamented the continuing toll on security forces — noting that two officers and nine soldiers were killed recently — and said the country is exhausted from bearing the cost of those sacrifices; continuing a policy of forbearance is no longer in Pakistan’s interest.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan has been repeatedly asking Afghanistan not to allow the militants to use their territory against Pakistan.
Despite assuring Islamabad on numerous occasions, Kabul has failed to cope with the militants carrying out suicide, bomb and firing attacks in Pakistan.
The RAW-funded militants’ group TTP has not only been targeting the armed forces, but also the innocent civilians in the areas of KP and Balochistan.
TTP along with BLA and Majeed Brigade has launched massive militant attacks not only in KP and Balochistan but also Karachi and Punjab areas.
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However, the armed forces of Pakistan have been tirelessly launching military operations against all these militant groups and have killed thousands of militants.