For the first time, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif openly admitted that all efforts by Islamabad to improve relations with the Afghan Taliban since their 2021 capture of Kabul have been in vain.
In an interview with a Pakistani channel, Khawaja Asif stated, 'I personally welcomed the Taliban in Kabul, visited Afghanistan multiple times, and made earnest efforts to stabilize relations, but all of it proved to be in futile - success remained elusive.'
'The Entire Game Has Changed'
The Defence Minister further remarked that Pakistan had hoped the Taliban would depend on it, but the entire scenario has turned around. Not only does the Taliban disregard Pakistan's stance, but it also defies it on multiple fronts.
He labeled the Taliban as a chaotic group, emphasizing that trusting them would be naive. Pakistan has tried to maintain decorum, yet the Taliban haven't reciprocated gratitude towards the nation that has sheltered two generations.
Pakistan's Long-standing Support of the Taliban
This statement from the Pakistani Defence Minister is significant as Pakistan had sheltered, armed, and trained the Afghan Taliban for decades. Post the 2021 American military withdrawal, Pakistan expected a government in Kabul aligning with Islamabad's interests. However, the Taliban's ascension dismantled Pakistan's hopes completely.
Particularly, there are profound disagreements regarding TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) between the two countries. Pakistan demands stringent actions from the Afghan Taliban against the TTP, yet Taliban's response has been a clear refusal. Additionally, tensions are escalating over border disputes, the Durand Line, and trade issues.
