Afghans in Pakistan should return home: Khawaja Asif
What's the story
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has intensified tensions with Afghanistan by accusing it of being a "proxy of India." He asked all Afghans in Pakistan to return to their "homeland," saying they now have a government in Kabul. The remarks came after a 48-hour ceasefire lapsed on Friday 6pm (local time). His remarks came despite media reports of an extension of the deadline, even as representatives from both sides are meeting in Doha, Qatar, to resolve ongoing tensions.
Accusations made
Kabul, TTP, India are conspiring against Pakistan: Asif
Asif accused Kabul of conspiring with New Delhi and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). "The rulers of Kabul, who are now sitting in India's lap and conspiring against Pakistan, were once under our protection, hiding on our land," he said. He declared that Islamabad "can no longer afford to have relations with Kabul like in the past."
Defense and retaliation
Pakistan has issued 836 protest notes to Afghanistan
Asif claimed Pakistan is ready to defend itself against further aggression from Kabul. He said Islamabad has issued 836 protest notes and 13 démarches to Afghanistan. Kabul, meanwhile, accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes that killed eight people, including three cricketers, violating the ceasefire. Reacting to the airstrike, the Afghanistan Cricket Board also withdrew from a Tri-Nation T20I Series with Pakistan after three players were killed in the attack.
Justification and withdrawal
Precision aerial strikes targeting TTP factions
A senior security official in Pakistan said they "conducted precision aerial strikes" targeting the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, a faction linked to TTP. This group was allegedly involved in a suicide bombing at a military camp in North Waziristan that killed seven Pakistani paramilitary troops. The Afghanistan Cricket Board withdrew from the Tri-Nation T20I Series with Pakistan after three players were killed in an attack.