Defense czar says many judges resign to secure pensions and benefits after completing their term
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said cross-border attacks from Afghanistan continue to undermine Pakistan’s security, suggesting that a written commitment from the Afghan Taliban regime – backed by guarantees from friendly countries – could help establish a path to stability.
Talking about the Express News Speaking on Saturday’s Center Stage programme, he highlighted contradictions in the Taliban regime’s statements, noting that while they claim Afghan territory has never been used against Pakistan, “the evidence suggests otherwise.”
Asif said Pakistan has repeatedly conveyed a clear position to Kabul: terrorism must not emanate from Afghan territory, and called for a formal commitment from the Taliban administration. “If terrorism does not occur on your territory, then give guarantees that it will never happen. This is fair: give guarantees that it has never happened before and will not happen in the future,” he added.
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He suggested that a written commitment, backed by friendly states such as Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, China and Qatar acting as guarantors, could help establish a path to stability. “I say this only to find a solution,” he added.
The defense minister said that the two recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan were related to Afghanistan. He claimed that those killed in the Wana attack were all Afghan citizens and that “there was not a single person of Pakistani origin among them”, adding that the attack in Islamabad also traced back to Afghan territory.
Arguing that the Taliban government has failed to deliver improvements for Afghan citizens despite being in power for three years, Asif said Afghanistan has become a “safe haven” where militants from around the world operate “under the umbrella of Kandahar.” These groups, he said, change their objectives “according to their convenience: sometimes towards Russia, sometimes towards Pakistan.”
He described Afghanistan as a country in complete institutional collapse. “Afghans are unemployed. The country has no economy, no rule of law, no functioning judiciary, no administrative structure. In every sense, it is a bankrupt state,” he commented.
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On a trade-related issue, Asif said the Pakistan-Afghanistan border should function as a formal international border. He argued that, given repeated cross-border attacks, it should no longer operate in the informal way it has for decades.
“They have attacked our existence not once, but multiple times,” he said, adding that regulating movement according to established border protocols would also curb smuggling, including the illicit flow of dollars.
The Defense Minister confirmed that the terms of the Army chief and the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) will begin simultaneously on November 27, 2025, according to a new notification. He defended the FDC’s position by comparing it to similar structures in Britain and the United States, saying that both the current army chief and the FDC are “worthy” and have proven their capabilities in war.
He rejected claims that excessive authority had been concentrated in a single military position, adding that future appointments of army chiefs would be processed through the Ministry of Defence, which remains accountable to Parliament and the prime minister.
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Asif claimed that many judges resign to secure pensions and benefits after completing their terms of service. He urged those who renounce on principle to state their reasons publicly rather than waiting to receive “lifelong privileges.”
He insisted that the government has not encroached on judicial powers, denied that any authority had passed to the executive and said that procedures for appointing and transferring judges remain unchanged.
