Islamabad: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that there was no bitterness in the Pakistan-Afghanistan peace agreement.
He said that Türkiye and Qatar played a positive role in creating a constructive environment for the agreement.
In a television interview, Asif explained that the document consists of a single page containing four short paragraphs.
A meeting regarding the implementation of the agreement is still pending and is expected to take place in Türkiye by the end of October.
If any party fails to fulfill its commitments, the mediating country will intervene and discuss the matter with them.
Khawaja Asif revealed that there is concrete evidence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership being present in Afghanistan, and proof also exists that terrorists are receiving instructions from across the border.
He said TTP militants are hiding among civilian populations, and Pakistan will not hold any talks with the banned group.
He emphasized that the continuation of the agreement depends entirely on the maintenance of peace.
He further mentioned that Qatar and Türkiye hold significant influence over the Afghan Taliban, and Pakistan’s communication has been with the Afghan Taliban, not the TTP.
According to him, several new steps will be taken that were never attempted in the past.
The defence minister added that Afghan refugees are being repatriated respectfully and that Pakistan will review the Afghan transit trade policy.
He said Islamabad seeks a permanent resolution of all issues with Kabul.
Asif cautioned that despite the peace agreement, normalcy has not been fully restored.
While attitudes have improved, it cannot yet be said that everything is settled with Afghanistan, and caution is still necessary.
He noted divisions within the Taliban regime, particularly between Kabul and Kandahar.
He reminded that Afghanistan was the last country to recognize Pakistan in 1947 and expressed hope that the upcoming Istanbul talks would cover all major topics, including the banned TTP, trade, and the repatriation of Afghan refugees. Asif also acknowledged that tensions with Afghanistan are not new—both hostility and cooperation have existed in different periods of history.
However, he stressed that whenever religion becomes a factor, the intensity of conflict increases.
Khawaja Asif concluded by warning that if India commits aggression again, Pakistan will definitely respond decisively.
