ISLAMABAD: Former U.S. Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, has sharply criticized Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif for warning of an “open war” with Afghanistan if ongoing negotiations between the two countries fail.
In a post shared on social media, Khalilzad described Khawaja Asif’s statement as “reckless in the extreme,” cautioning that such remarks could dangerously escalate tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. He said Asif has long been known for his hostility toward Afghans and even toward Pakistan’s own Pashtun population, questioning whether it is wise to allow personal emotions to dictate matters of national security.
“Is it a good idea to allow one individual’s emotions to lead Pakistan into a disastrous war?” Khalilzad asked, urging Pakistani leadership to act with restraint and pursue diplomacy rather than confrontation.
The former U.S. envoy emphasized that a war between Afghanistan and Pakistan would harm both nations, destabilize the region, and derail any progress made through peace initiatives. He called for renewed dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes, stressing that the path of conflict would serve no one’s interests.
Khalilzad’s comments came in response to Khawaja Asif’s remarks made during a media talk in Sialkot, where the defense minister said that if diplomatic efforts failed, Pakistan would face “an open war” with Afghanistan.
“Friendly countries like Qatar and Turkey are sincerely facilitating talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban,” Asif said, adding that since the beginning of discussions in Doha, there has been no major incident.
The exchange between Asif and Khalilzad underscores the growing strain in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both nations have repeatedly accused each other of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, and tensions have intensified amid recent security incidents along the frontier.
Political observers warn that escalatory rhetoric from either side could further destabilize the already fragile relationship, urging leaders to prioritize dialogue and regional cooperation over threats of military action.
