Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday firmly rejected the possibility of any negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), clarifying that Pakistan’s ongoing discussions are strictly limited to the Taliban government currently ruling Afghanistan.
His remarks came a day after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to halt hostilities following a week of intense border clashes. The temporary truce, mediated by Qatar, came after Taliban fighters, supported by affiliated militants, allegedly attacked Pakistan Army posts along the shared border.
Speaking on Geo News’ program “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,” the defence minister stated that Pakistan maintains informal diplomatic engagement with the Afghan Taliban government.
“I want to clarify that we are holding talks with TTA [Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan]. We will never negotiate with the TTP,” he said.
Asif, who headed Pakistan’s delegation during the Doha ceasefire talks, described the meeting as cordial and constructive.
“There was no bitterness from any side during the talks,” he said, adding that Qatar and Turkiye played a significant role in facilitating the discussions.
Dismissing rumors circulating online, Asif clarified that the actual ceasefire draft comprised only four paragraphs, not the lengthy version seen on social media. He also revealed that a more detailed discussion on the ceasefire terms would take place in Turkiye in the coming days.
The minister admitted that his stance on the peace process had evolved since the earlier 48-hour ceasefire agreement reached on October 15. Initially describing the truce as “fragile,” Asif said he now views it with “guarded optimism.”
“One should always hold on to hope, but it is too early to say anything conclusively,” he remarked.
Asif noted that voices within Afghanistan were emerging in response to the truce, expressing hope that the Taliban government would handle the matter “as a unified government.”
He cautioned that Pakistan and its allied countries would warn against any breach of the ceasefire that could risk escalating tensions further.
“Brotherly countries will be warned about the risks of the conflict widening in case of any violation,” he said.
The defence minister also accused the outlawed TTP and India of attempting to sabotage the fragile peace efforts, emphasizing that such threats could not be ruled out.
Rejecting claims by the Afghan Taliban that the TTP operates from within Pakistan, Asif countered that the group’s leadership remains based across the border.
“Leaders of the TTP and all its factions are in Afghanistan. They have homes, families, and training camps there,” he stated.
Asif confirmed that Pakistan will raise this issue in the upcoming round of talks with the Afghan delegation, scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul, Turkiye.
