SECURITY — June 17, 2026
Pakistan Defense Minister Says Taliban Refused Written Guarantees on Cross-Border Attacks
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said multiple rounds of talks produced no formal written commitments despite meetings in several countries.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Khaama Press — corroborated by Hasht-e Subh — 2 min read
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that efforts to resolve security disputes with the Taliban have failed because Kabul refused to provide written guarantees that Afghan territory would not be used for attacks against Pakistan.
Asif said Pakistan held multiple rounds of talks with Taliban officials, including meetings in Turkey and Qatar as well as his own visits to Afghanistan.
Hasht-e Subh reported that Asif claimed the Taliban requested 10 billion dollars in aid during one discussion, with Islamabad indicating willingness to cooperate in return for formal assurances.
Khaama Press reported that Asif said more than 4,300 Pakistani soldiers and civilians have been killed in militant attacks since 2022, with the roots of the violence tracing back to Afghanistan under Taliban control.
The same report noted recent Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that killed 13 civilians.
Read the original reporting at Khaama Press →
Reliability assessment
Reliable: Both sources corroborate the core event of Khawaja Asif making on-record statements in Pakistan's National Assembly about failed talks and lack of written guarantees from the Taliban. Asif is a named public official, making his attributed statements verifiable facts regardless of unconfirmed details like aid amounts or casualty figures.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Khaama Press: "accusing Kabul of refusing", "Relations have remained strained", "Tensions escalated further" — these phrases introduce negative emotional framing and imply blame or ongoing conflict without neutral attribution.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
He further claimed that during one of the talks, the Taliban requested $10 billion in financial assistance from Pakistan. According to Asif, Islamabad expressed its willingness to cooperate but sought assurances in return that individuals and ...
He added that when Pakistan was asked for Rs10 billion, it was “ready to give it” but wanted assurances that if those people were settled in remote areas of Afghanistan, they would not spend the Rs10 billion and return again.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Khawaja Asif publicly stated that talks with the Taliban failed to produce written guarantees against the use of Afghan territory for attacks on Pakistan.
- Multiple rounds of negotiations occurred between Pakistani and Taliban officials without reaching formal written commitments on counterterrorism.
- Pakistan accuses militant groups based in Afghanistan of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan.
Where reports differ
- Only Hasht-e Subh reports the specific Taliban request for $10 billion in aid; Khaama Press does not mention this claim.
- Only Khaama Press reports the figure of over 4,300 killed since 2022 and details of recent Pakistani airstrikes killing 13 civilians.
Filed by 2 outlets
Khaama Press
Originating
Framed
Framed
Hasht-e Subh
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Security — Khawaja Asif, Taliban, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, TTP, cross-border security
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