Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a blunt warning after four days of fruitless talks in Istanbul, saying Islamabad does not need to use “even a fraction” of its full arsenal to “completely obliterate” the Taliban regime if provoked.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khawaja Asif said Pakistan entered the Istanbul talks “on the request of brotherly countries” to give peace a chance. But he accused Afghan officials of responding with “venomous statements” that, he said, reveal a “devious and splintered mindset” within the Taliban regime.
Asif’s central message was direct: Pakistan’s military capability is overwhelming and its restraint is deliberate, not a sign of weakness. “Let me assure them that Pakistan does not require to employ even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime,” he wrote.
Historical reference
Referencing past battles, Asif suggested a repeat of the Taliban’s rout at Tora Bora would be “a spectacle to watch” for regional audiences should conflict resume. He accused the Taliban of sustaining a “war economy” and of “blindly pushing Afghanistan into yet another conflict” to preserve their rule.
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Asif framed Pakistan’s patience as exhausted: those who “test our resolve and capabilities” will do so “at their own peril and doom,” he warned. He also singled out promised consequences for terrorist acts inside Pakistan, saying any suicide bombing or terrorist attack will be met with a harsh response.
Islamabad says talks yielded no commitments
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the Istanbul negotiations, held in October 2025 and mediated by Qatar and Turkey, ended without breakthroughs. Tarar said Pakistan had presented “actionable and concrete evidence” against India-backed terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, but that the Afghan delegation “avoided making any actionable assurances.”
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According to Tarar, the evidence was acknowledged by all parties present, including the host countries, yet Kabul declined to give practical commitments. He accused the Taliban side of resorting to “accusations, evasions, and cunning excuses,” which, he said, derailed progress.
Pakistan has repeatedly complained about cross-border activities of groups it describes as India-backed, naming outfits such as Fitna-ul-Khawarij (TTP) and Fitna-ul-Hindustan (BLA) as examples. Islamabad framed the Istanbul discussions as focused solely on preventing Afghan soil from being used to launch attacks against Pakistan — a demand the Afghan delegation allegedly did not concretely accept.
