ISLAMABAD, Nov 12: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday declared that Pakistan was in a “state of war” following a deadly suicide attack in the federal capital that left at least 12 people dead and 36 injured, saying it was “futile” to expect positive results from ongoing talks with the Afghan Taliban government.
The attack occurred near the Islamabad district courts while multiple international events — including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference, the 6th Margalla Dialogue, and a Pakistan–Sri Lanka cricket match in Rawalpindi — were underway.
In a post on X, Asif said the blast demonstrated that the war against terrorism was not limited to border areas. “Anyone who thinks the army is fighting this war only along the Afghan border or in Balochistan should take today’s attack as a wake-up call,” he wrote, adding that the assault carried “a clear message from Kabul.”
ھم حالت جنگ میں ھیں کوئ یہ سنجھے کہ پاک فوج یہ جنگ افغان پاکستان سرحدی علاقے میں اور بلوچستان کے دور دراز علاقے میں لڑرہی ھے تو آج اسلام آباد ضلع کچہری میں خود کش حملہ wake up call ھے کہ یہ سارے پاکستان کی جنگ ھے جسمیں پاک فوج روز قربانیاں دے رہی ھے اور عوام کو تحفظ کا احساس دلا…
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 11, 2025
He said Afghanistan could help stop the wave of terrorism in Pakistan but warned that bringing violence to Islamabad would invite a strong response. Later, speaking on a television programme, the minister described the bombing as a “major escalation” and called for a “serious review” of Pakistan’s approach toward talks with Kabul.
Asif emphasised that Pakistan was prepared to defend itself “on both western and eastern fronts,” adding that while he supported dialogue, negotiations must be “sincere and aimed at achieving peace.”
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The minister’s remarks came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that durable peace in the region hinged on Afghanistan curbing terrorist groups operating from its territory.
Talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, mediated by Turkiye and Qatar, have faltered in recent weeks following border clashes in October. Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring militants involved in cross-border attacks, a charge the Taliban deny.
Three senior Turkish officials are expected in Islamabad this week to discuss the escalating tensions between the two neighbours.
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