Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has attributed the country’s current security crisis to past policy missteps, particularly its overly close relationship with the Afghan Taliban. Speaking on Samaa TV, Asif criticized former policymakers who believed in strategic alignment with the Taliban, calling it a grave mistake that has now backfired. He said Pakistan is once again facing intensified proxy conflicts and warned that the risk of war with India remains real. Asif also noted that the presence of Taliban leadership in Pakistan in the past should be a matter of national regret and introspection. He accused India of attempting to destabilize Pakistan through Afghanistan. Despite these challenges, Asif emphasized that Pakistan’s military now enjoys unprecedented unity and coordination with civilian authorities, which he believes will help the country confront its current security threats.