Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Sunday emphasized the importance of viewing Pakistan-Afghanistan relations through a broader strategic and humanitarian lens rather than focusing solely on economic transactions.
Speaking in the context of the recent ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, brokered in Doha, Asif welcomed the development but cautioned political stakeholders—particularly those affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—against evaluating bilateral ties based purely on commercial interests.
“Do not assess Pak-Afghan relations only on the basis of your business concerns,” Asif stated in a post on social media. He called for unity in condemning terrorism and honoring the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s armed forces, adding that national interests must come before personal gain.
His remarks subtly addressed PTI leaders who have expressed support for the Doha truce while remaining skeptical of military operations. PTI continues to favor dialogue with militant factions like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a stance that diverges from the government’s current security framework.
Meanwhile, Foreign and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar reinforced Pakistan’s stance, advocating for a verifiable mechanism to monitor and curb cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan. He indicated that this issue would be a central agenda point in upcoming regional discussions chaired by Turkey.
Pakistan’s messaging signals a strategic shift toward prioritizing long-term regional stability, counter-terrorism cooperation, and mutual respect, moving beyond narrow economic calculations in managing relations with its western neighbor.
