Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that “elements in Kabul” are responsible for halting peace talks between Pakistan and the Taliban.
Speaking to Geo News on Tuesday, October 28, Asif stated that the Taliban delegation participating in the negotiations “has no decision-making power” and repeatedly withdraws from previously agreed terms after receiving directives from Kabul.
“The Taliban’s control over the situation in Afghanistan is weak,” he said. “Whenever we neared an agreement, interference from Kabul would occur, and the process would come to a halt.”
Asif added that he had sensed this problem since the first round of talks in Doha.
The defense minister emphasized that Islamabad joined the negotiations to promote regional peace, but if the talks fail, the Taliban will bear full responsibility.
“The Taliban delegation is powerless,” Asif asserted, “and the real decisions are made in Kabul, where India’s influence is significant.”
He further alleged that India is conducting a proxy war against Pakistan through the Taliban, seeking to entangle Islamabad in a prolonged, low-intensity conflict.
“There are elements within the Taliban who have pledged loyalty to India,” Asif claimed, “and they are executing this proxy war plan.”
The minister warned that if the Taliban carry out their threats to attack Islamabad, they will face a severe response.
“If anyone dares to cast an eye on Islamabad,” he warned, “we will pluck that eye out.”
It is worth noting that the talks between Pakistan and the Taliban in Istanbul, aimed at establishing a mechanism for monitoring and combating cross-border terrorist groups, ended without result.
Reports indicate that neither side reached an agreement and walked away from the negotiating table.
