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Khawaja Asif Says India Trying to Engage Pakistan on Two Fronts
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif says India seeks to keep Pakistan engaged on both eastern and western fronts. He hopes mediation by Turkey and Qatar will ease tensions with Afghanistan and ensure regional stability.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-01
Khawaja Asif Says India Trying to Engage Pakistan on Two Fronts

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that India wants to keep Pakistan occupied on both its eastern and western borders. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Geo News in Sialkot, he remarked, “On the eastern front, India has its shoes on, while Modi has remained silent. On the western front, we are hopeful that the mediation of the two countries will yield positive results.”

Asif revealed that Turkey and Qatar are mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address the ongoing tensions and border issues. He said the Torkham border has been reopened only for the expulsion of illegal Afghans, adding that trade activities will remain suspended until negotiations conclude.

“The expulsion process must continue so that this excuse cannot be used again,” he stated. The Defense Minister confirmed that visa services have also been suspended until talks are finalized, describing this as the first time the Afghan refugee issue has been recognized internationally.

He explained that during talks in Turkey, Afghanistan accepted responsibility for preventing illegal activities from its side and agreed that any violations would require compensation. “Earlier, Afghanistan did not recognize the problem of illegal Afghans. Now its ownership has come to the fore at the international level,” Asif said.

He added that there has been no ceasefire violation from Pakistan’s side, but that Afghanistan continues to provoke incidents. “Representatives of the establishments of all four countries involved are engaged in mediation efforts,” he said.

Khawaja Asif also highlighted the frustration of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying the province has suffered most due to terrorism and cross-border tensions. “The entire nation, especially the people of KP, is united on this issue. We all want an immediate solution — and the only solution is to stop terrorism from Afghan soil,” he emphasized.

He noted that Pakistan’s losses over the last five decades due to regional instability are shared losses, and maintaining civilized relations between both states would be preferable. “The world understands Afghanistan’s attempts to create division,” he said.

Commenting on India’s role, Asif accused New Delhi of supporting proxy wars during Ashraf Ghani’s rule. “Evidence of India’s proxy activities dates back to Ghani’s era. Now there’s no need for proof — everyone knows it,” he asserted.

Despite these challenges, Khawaja Asif expressed hope that ongoing mediation by Turkey and Qatar would produce positive outcomes for lasting peace and stability in the region.
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