Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain deeply tenuous, with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif citing Kabul’s inability or unwillingness to rein in Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to Minister Asif in a recent interview on Geo TV he stated: “Peaceful relations with our neighbour are only possible when all support for TTP has ceased.” – geo.tv
Islamabad has charged that Pakistan-based militant umbrella group TTP with operating from Afghan territory and carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. Minister Asif warned that, until Afghanistan stops supporting militants who target Pakistan, bilateral relations would remain tenuous. “Infiltration from Afghanistan is still occurring… until that stops, an agreement cannot take effect,” he noted.
Geo.tv At the core of it all lies Pakistan and Afghanistan’s October 2025 cease-fire agreement (brokered by Qatar and Turkey) reached on October 16, which requires Afghanistan-led government demonstrating their ability to act against militant attacks from Afghan soil, according to media reports. According to Asif’s comments “everything hinges on this one clause.” Reuters
Without concrete assurances from Kabul that militant sanctuaries will be shut down, Islamabad remains skeptical about further engaging with Afghanistan.

Security concerns have growing economic and diplomatic implications. Trade, transit, and diplomatic levels had tentatively improved earlier this year; however, repeated border skirmishes and allegations that Afghan authorities tolerate TTP members have reversed much of that momentum. For instance, Pakistan accused Afghanistan of failing to show seriousness and cooperation when talking about cross-border terrorism dialogues.
Islamabad considers the Taliban TTP issue non-negotiable; without an immediate ceasefire by Kabul from military operations aimed at Pakistan, full normalisation cannot occur. Kabul finds itself caught between acknowledging or reinforcing an anti-TTP position may disrupt internal dynamics and complying with Pakistan’s demands could escalate tensions further.

Afghan authorities have repeatedly denied harboring Pakistani militants and stressed the need for mutual trust and sovereignty respect between their nations, but Islamabad remains suspicious; relations between both countries remain at their lowest since 2009 – according to some analysts, they could remain so for an extended period.
As The Economic Times’ The Economic Times
Both countries must undertake several key tasks to move forward: Afghanistan must demonstrate tangible action against militant groups that target Pakistan; while Pakistan must demonstrate how normalisation will bring diplomatic and economic gains. Without progress on security matters, cooperation in trade, transit, regional connectivity will remain frozen; Minister Asif’s remarks reflected this reality.

Pakistan’s public position on Afghanistan is clear: normalised relations depend on Kabul taking effective and verifiable steps against the TTP, otherwise Islamabad sees no path to trust-based diplomacy. Therefore, Pakistan hopes that the next round of dialogue scheduled for Istanbul early November 2025 may provide an opportunity to test whether words become action and bilateral relations can progress beyond suspicion and stagnation.