Defence minister shows Taliban leader Haqqani a history lesson, recalling Islamabad\u2019s support during Soviet war
\n Islamabad
\nDefence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday reminded Afghan Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani of Pakistan\u2019s past hospitality and support during the anti-Soviet war, while urging Afghan authorities to ensure their territory is not used against Pakistan.
\nIn a post on X, the minister said Pakistan had stood \u201cheart and soul\u201d with Afghan fighters during the Soviet Union\u2013Afghanistan war.
\nHe said Pakistan had hosted Haqqani and his family, along with millions of Afghan refugees, adding that many Afghan refugees still live in Pakistan and \u201cearn their livelihood from our sacred soil.\u201d
\nAsif said both sides had fought a common war during the Soviet era, adding that the objective at the time had been shaped by the United States.
\nReferring to the period after the September 11 attacks, he said Pakistan supported NATO logistics but later faced allegations that it was facilitating the Haqqani network.
\n\u201cWe were asked about your location. Do you remember?\u201d he said, asking Afghan leaders to clarify whether accusations against Pakistan were true.
\nThe minister said that between 1979 and the post-9\/11 period, the United States reduced engagement with Pakistan and Afghanistan while Islamabad attempted to reconcile Afghan factions.
\nHe said Pakistan had even taken Afghan rival groups to Makkah for reconciliation efforts.
\nAsif expressed concern that despite decades of hospitality, Pakistan was now facing violence from groups allegedly operating from Afghan soil.
\n\u201cWhy are you sheltering those who kill our innocent children and people?\u201d he asked, adding that militants targeting Pakistan were being protected and treated as allies.
\nHe said he had visited Kabul and requested Afghan leaders not to align with groups hostile to Pakistan.
\n\u201cWe asked you not to support them. We were even ready to provide financial assistance if required, but there was no guarantee,\u201d he said.
\nThe defence minister said the lineage associated with the Haqqani name was historically respected and should be honoured.
\n\u201cWe ask nothing from you. Live peacefully in your own home and let us live peacefully in ours,\u201d he said.
\nHe warned that Pakistan did not want its enemies to be given refuge or allowed to operate from Afghan territory.
\n\u201cLet them be hosted in your country if you wish, but do not play the role of our enemy by allowing your soil to be used against us,\u201d he stressed.
\n\u201cOur tradition, culture and religion teach us to wish well for the home that provides refuge.\u201d
\n\u201cGod is great. Pakistan Zindabad,\u201d he added, concluding the post.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Defence minister shows Taliban leader Haqqani a history lesson, recalling Islamabad\u2019s support during Soviet war Islamabad Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday reminded Afghan Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani of Pakistan\u2019s past hospitality and support during the anti-Soviet war, while urging Afghan authorities to ensure their territory is not used against Pakistan. In a post on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-534040","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n