In an interview with Voice of America, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has indicated that Afghanistan’s trade route with India could potentially face disruption.
Asif emphasized that if Afghanistan continues to act in a manner perceived as hostile, Pakistan reserves the right to halt its trade corridor with India.
He underscored Afghanistan’s failure to curb anti-Pakistan militant activities within its borders, suggesting that Pakistan could retaliate by blocking trade routes facilitating Afghanistan’s commerce with India. Asif stressed the urgency of conveying a message regarding the surge in cross-border terrorism, urging Afghanistan to take decisive action against groups like the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan). He cautioned that while armed conflict is not desired, Pakistan will resort to force if necessary. Asif questioned the rationale for maintaining a trade corridor with a nation exhibiting hostile behavior.