Islamabad, Oct 31 (NationPress) Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Friday that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan cannot be normalized until Kabul ceases its support for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to local media reports.

During an interview with Geo News, Asif emphasized that those who provide refuge to TTP militants in Afghanistan must halt their infiltration into Pakistan. "Peaceful relations with our neighbour are only possible if all support for the TTP is completely ended," he remarked, pointing out that trusting Afghanistan is challenging without concrete assurances against cross-border assaults.

Asif accused the Taliban government of violating the ceasefire agreement and claimed that Pakistan is responding appropriately. He mentioned that the next round of negotiations between the two nations is set for November 6 in Istanbul.

His comments come in the wake of escalating tensions following Pakistani military operations across the border in Afghanistan. The recent discussions between the two countries' delegations in Turkey concluded on Monday without a resolution.

On October 29, Asif delivered a stern warning to the Taliban, asserting that they could test Islamabad's resolve at their own risk. He noted that Pakistan does not need to utilize even a fraction of its full arsenal to "obliterate" the Taliban and force them back into hiding.

"We have tolerated your betrayal for far too long, but that ends now. Any terrorist activity or suicide bombing within Pakistan will lead to severe consequences. Test our resolve and capabilities, but do so at your own peril," Asif stated.

"Pakistan does not require to employ even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime and push them back to the caves for hiding. If they wish, the repeat of the scenes of their rout at Tora Bora would certainly be a spectacle for the region's people," concluded Pakistan's Defence Minister on X.