In a stern and unprecedented declaration, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced on Friday that the country’s patience with the Afghan Taliban has reached its limit, escalating the ongoing tensions into what he described as “open war.” The minister’s remarks came amid rising cross-border hostilities and accusations that the Taliban are operating as proxies for India, further complicating the already fragile security situation in the region.
Following the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan, there had been widespread hopes that the Taliban would prioritize peace and stability, focusing on rebuilding the war-torn nation and improving the lives of its citizens. However, Khawaja Asif painted a grim picture of the current reality, asserting that Afghanistan has instead become heavily influenced by Indian interests. He accused the Taliban of allowing the country to be transformed into what he called an “Indian colony,” where global terrorist elements have found refuge, leading to the export of terrorism beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
He further highlighted the severe human rights violations occurring under Taliban rule, emphasizing that the Afghan populace continues to suffer from deprivation of basic freedoms. The minister specifically pointed to the harsh treatment of women, noting that their rights, which Islam grants, have been systematically denied. This, he argued, not only undermines Afghanistan’s social fabric but also destabilizes the entire region.
Despite Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic efforts to foster peace and stability—both through direct engagement with the Taliban and via mediation by allied countries—Asif claimed these initiatives have been undermined by the Taliban’s alignment with Indian strategic objectives. He warned that recent aggressive actions targeting Pakistan from Afghan soil have been met with firm and decisive military responses by Pakistan’s armed forces, signaling a shift from restraint to active defense.
Highlighting Pakistan’s longstanding positive role in the Afghan conflict, the minister recalled that for over fifty years, the country has provided refuge to millions of Afghan refugees, offering them safety and opportunities to rebuild their lives. Even today, hundreds of thousands of Afghans continue to live and work within Pakistan’s borders, underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to humanitarian principles despite the ongoing challenges.
In a clear message to the Taliban leadership, Khawaja Asif declared, “Our patience has run out. Now it is open war between you and us. There will be decisive action.” He stressed that Pakistan, as Afghanistan’s immediate neighbor, possesses a deep understanding of the complex ground realities and will not tolerate further provocations.
In a related development, Pakistan launched a military operation named ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ in response to unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban forces along multiple points of the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the night of February 26, 2026. The operation targeted Taliban positions and infrastructure, aiming to neutralize threats and restore security in the border areas.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar provided further details, stating that the retaliatory strikes resulted in the deaths of 133 Taliban fighters and injuries to over 200 others. He confirmed that key Taliban defensive installations in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar were hit during the operation. Tarar also indicated that the military campaign was ongoing, with the possibility of additional casualties as Pakistan continues to respond robustly to Taliban aggression.
This escalation marks a significant turning point in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, raising concerns about the potential for a broader conflict in a region already burdened by decades of instability. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation as both sides brace for further developments in the coming days.
