ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan will not hesitate to conduct new airstrikes on Afghanistan, unless Kabul underwrites peace.
In an interview with an international broadcaster, Asif has accused India and Afghanistan of waging a proxy war against Pakistan, adding that both Delhi and Kabul are behind terror attacks in Pakistan.
The minister noted that all terrorist groups, including the banned TTP and ISIS, are present in Afghanistan. He emphasized that attacks on Pakistan cannot occur without the consent or support of the Kabul government.
Khawaja Asif further warned that war with India was still “a possibility”.
Addressing the security situation in Pakistan and the recent bombing in Islamabad, the defence minister claimed that “almost all the franchises of terrorism” are present in Pakistan because of the non-seriousness of the Kabul government towards curbing terrorism, adding that complicity would be a better word.
He also spoke about the situation in Gaza, saying that Pakistan is ready to contribute to an international peace force if the conditions are ripe.
The contribution of Pakistan to an international stabilisation mission in Gaza would depend on the terms of reference that are drafted for that peace force, he stated.
Answering the question about the normalisation of relations with Israel, Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan doesn’t even consider this option unless Palestinians are granted the right of self-determination in their own homeland within the framework of a two-state solution.
