According to Geo News, Asif also claimed that for the first time, the issue of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan, calling it “Pakistan’s issue,” had been raised at the international level. He said the talks included a clause holding Afghanistan accountable if any illegal activity originated from its soil, a notable shift after Pakistan repeatedly accused Kabul of harbouring anti-Pakistan militants.
“There has been no hostile activity from our side; the ceasefire violations are being committed by Afghanistan,” Asif told the channel, rejecting Kabul’s allegations against Pakistan’s establishment.
The minister said anger was rising across Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province most affected by cross-border militancy, and called for “civilised relations” between the two nations. “The losses Pakistan has suffered over the past five decades are collective losses of both nations,” he added, a remark critics say attempts to equate Islamabad’s own role in destabilising Afghanistan with shared suffering.
Asif confirmed that the Torkham border had been reopened only to facilitate the expulsion of illegal Afghan nationals, not for trade. He said all trade activities and visa processing would remain suspended until talks conclude.
Border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan in October had forced Islamabad to seal its borders for trade and travel, halting the repatriation of Afghan families from Pakistan.
While Pakistan continues to accuse India of interference, India has always maintained that Islamabad must first dismantle terror networks operating from its soil before seeking credibility as a peace broker in the region.
