By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, condemned the recent terrorist attack in Islamabad, describing it as a stark warning to the state. Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the blast near the district court, Asif said that while terrorism had long been concentrated in the country’s border regions, the latest incident indicated that militants could now reach any part of Pakistan.
“The attack in Islamabad should be understood as a message to the state,” he said, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat. He recalled the sacrifices made by both the Pakistani people and the armed forces in the protracted fight against terrorism, and warned that the country would respond decisively to any future acts of aggression.
Asif singled out the Afghan government, accusing it of providing sanctuary and support to militants operating from Afghan soil. He noted that Pakistan had long anticipated attempts by terrorist networks to exert pressure on the country through such violent acts. Highlighting the presence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership in Kabul, he questioned how the Afghan authorities could deny responsibility while key figures of the organization continued to operate openly within their territory. The defence minister stressed that terrorist activities would no longer be tolerated in either border or urban areas, signaling a shift in the security landscape as militants increasingly targeted cities. Asif’s remarks came amid heightened concerns over cross-border militancy and a growing call for coordinated action to prevent further attacks on civilians and state institutions.
