Islamabad (HRNW)- Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticized Pakistani students who have expressed solidarity with Afghan students, saying their stance reflects political leanings rather than only humanitarian concern.
In a statement posted on social media, Asif said Pakistan had hosted Afghans for five decades and shared its limited resources with them. He said Pakistan had also hoped for peaceful relations and a secure border following the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan.
The Defence Minister alleged that a significant proportion of those involved in terrorist attacks against Pakistani mosques, schools, markets, and security forces are Afghan nationals. These figures and allegations were presented by Asif and have not been independently established in the reports reviewed.
Asif further said Pakistan’s military and civilian leadership had maintained direct and indirect contacts with Afghan authorities but claimed that these engagements had not reduced tensions or what he described as hostility toward Pakistan.
Addressing Pakistani students supporting Afghan students, he suggested that those seeking to demonstrate goodwill toward Afghanistan could consider pursuing their education at Afghan institutions. He said such solidarity was insensitive to the sacrifices of Pakistanis killed in attacks allegedly linked to militants coming from Afghanistan.
The Defence Minister concluded by cautioning against allowing political affiliation to overshadow national concerns, saying political loyalty should not lead anyone to regard Pakistani lives as less valuable. The remarks come amid an ongoing dispute over the status of Afghan students studying in Pakistan.
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