Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has expressed serious concerns regarding the exploitation of Afghan soil by terrorist organizations such as TTP and BLA, and emphasized the crucial need for effective counter-terrorism measures. This significant concern was highlighted during his engagements on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
During his visit, the high-ranking defense official held discussions with several key counterparts, including Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister, and the Defense Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.
The Pakistani minister stressed that the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan by these extremist entities remains a significant concern for Islamabad, and underscored the importance of effective measures to address this challenge.
He further added that Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the region continue, and positive results are expected from these sustained endeavors.