ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that the terrorist attacks in the country are the result of a “proxy war” waged by India in complicity with the Taliban government in Kabul.
In an interview with FRANCE 24, the defence minister said “almost all the franchises of terrorism” are present in Pakistan “because of the non-seriousness of the Kabul government towards curbing terrorism”, adding that complicity would be a better word.
The defence minister pointed out the security situation in the country, recalling the recent bomb blast at a mosque in the capital that had led to several casualties.
Khwaja Asif said Pakistan “won’t hesitate” to conduct new strikes on Afghanistan, unless someone in Kabul can “underwrite peace”.
He said India was waging a “proxy war” against Pakistan and added that New Delhi and Kabul were “on the same page” when it comes to striking Pakistan.
Asked about a possible contribution of Pakistan to an international stabilisation mission in Gaza, Asif stressed that this would depend on “what sort of terms of reference are drafted for that peace force”.
He mentioned that Pakistan has significant experience as a contributor to United Nations peacekeeping forces and said that participating in the Gaza force would be a “good opportunity” to try to reach a two-state solution in the Middle East.
To a question on normalising ties with Israel, he said this was “not even being considered”.
He ruled out any such option unless he said Palestinians were granted “the right of self-determination in their own homeland” within the framework of a two-state solution.