ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticised Pakistani students for expressing solidarity with Afghan students, saying such support ignores the sacrifices of Pakistanis killed in terrorist attacks.
In a statement, Asif said Pakistan had hosted Afghans for five decades and shared its limited resources with them.
He said Pakistan had hoped that the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan would lead to greater border security and peaceful relations with its neighbour.
Asif added that a significant proportion of those involved in attacks on mosques, schools, markets and Pakistan’s armed forces were Afghans. He also criticised what he described as Afghan solidarity with India, saying Pakistan considers India a major adversary.
The defence minister said continued contacts between the Pakistani military and civilian leadership and their Afghan counterparts had not eliminated what he described as hostility towards Pakistan.
Addressing Pakistani students supporting Afghan students, Asif said their solidarity reflected their political leanings rather than genuine affection for Afghanistan.
He also suggested that those advocating closer ties should consider pursuing education at Afghan institutions themselves.
Asif further said such solidarity dishonours the sacrifices of Pakistani martyrs killed in terrorist attacks, including attacks he attributed to militants crossing from Afghanistan.
He urged Pakistani citizens not to allow political affiliations to overshadow what he described as the value of Pakistani lives and the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism.
