Pakistan’s Defense Minister Warns of Militant Threats from Afghan Soil

Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, has stated that several militant groups based in Afghanistan, supported by foreign powers, are attempting to destabilize Pakistan and increase security threats.

According to Geo News, Asif emphasized on Monday, February 8, that Pakistan has repeatedly shared its concerns regarding terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan with the Taliban administration. However, he said no practical guarantees have been provided so far to prevent the return and activities of these groups. He described the situation as alarming and called for serious attention to its consequences.

The Defense Minister cited the recent suicide attack at an Imambargah in Islamabad as a clear example of these threats; the attack killed 33 people and injured dozens of worshippers. He insisted that internal disputes should be resolved through dialogue and legal channels, emphasizing that violence is not a solution.

Asif also announced full support from Pakistan’s National Assembly for stringent actions against perpetrators of terrorist attacks and stressed the necessity of developing a comprehensive security plan to protect religious sites across the country.