ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared that a stop to the transit trade with Afghanistan was more beneficial than damaging for the country.
He said that the majority of the trade was just the re-export of goods that are imported into Afghanistan and then sold in Pakistan.
While talking on the national issues, Khawaja Asif also spoke about the judiciary concern. He stressed that judicial appointments and transfers are made according to the constitution and also follow international standards. According to him, the judges who want to resign and are aware of the transfer policies, while most of them choose to complete their terms.
Regarding security issues, the minister talked about the problems that Pakistan is facing due to Afghan militants living in the tribal areas of Pakistan. He mentioned the Wana incident and said that the Afgans have been taking advantage of their hospitality for 40 years but now they are using it against them. He went on to say that it could not be more honorable for Pakistan to be part of the Gaza Peace Force.
Moreover, Khawaja Asif speculated on the political mart of the ongoing judicial investigation into the political leaders and emphasized the need for abiding by the legal procedures in every case.
Khawaja Asif vows tough response to terror attacks
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif while explaining the terrorist attack in Islamabad, said that the terrorists should be seen as sending a message to the state, terrorizing Pakistan by their words. When questioned by the media about the Islamabad court blast, he said that so far terrorist incidents had come from the border areas, but with the attack in the capital, the militants had shown that they didn’t leave any safe area in the country.
Khawaja Asif was looking towards the militants in Afghanistan and said that they are the ones who are dangerously providing the fuel for the situation from the other side of the border and that the Afghan government is facilitating them. “They have raised the level of terrorism from across the border. While our citizens and armed forces are making sacrifices, Pakistan will give a strong response to these terrorist acts,” he added.
The minister went on to say that terrorists should not be given a chance in the border areas from where they can enter cities and create havoc in urban areas. He was also doubtful about having a successful dialogue with the Afghan government after this incident and, therefore, emphasized that the state must take the threat seriously.
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After the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claim of the blast, Khawaja Asif announced that there is no doubt in his mind that the TTP was behind the explosion. He explained that the TTP receives its orders from Kabul-based militants and asked how the Afghan government could refuse responsibility if they are the ones. He ended by saying that the terrorists may be hiding in one city but they are ready to strike in any of the cities of Pakistan.
