Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has called the 48-hour ceasefire with Afghanistan “extremely weak” and expressed doubt over its durability. Speaking on Geo News Wednesday night, he confirmed that the temporary truce was brokered by friendly countries but added, “I don’t think it will last long.”

The ceasefire was initiated on the request of the Afghan Taliban and took effect from 6 PM Wednesday, following intense clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border earlier in the week. Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that it would use the pause in fighting to seek a “positive solution through constructive dialogue.”

However, Khawaja Asif strongly criticized the Afghan Taliban, accusing them of spreading false information and acting as an “Indian proxy.” He dismissed Kabul’s claims, such as capturing a Pakistani tank, saying, “We don’t even have that kind of tank. It looks like they picked it up from a scrapyard. They’re using lies to run a proxy war.”

Experts have also expressed concern over rising tensions. Dr. Fakhr-ul-Islam, former head of the Area Study Centre at Peshawar University, told Khabar Kada that deteriorating relations are harmful for both countries, but Afghanistan stands to lose more due to closed trade routes and rising instability. He urged both nations to pursue peace for long-term benefit.

Analyst Jameel Khan, who monitors India-Afghanistan relations, agreed with Asif’s comments, noting that despite opposing the Taliban in the past, India is now developing ties with them — a move he warns could increase regional instability. He added, “India already supports TTP and BLA for terrorism inside Pakistan. If its ties with the Taliban improve, Pakistan’s concerns will only grow.” Jameel Khan said attacks inside Pakistan have increased since the Taliban took power, making Asif’s claim that they act as an Indian proxy appear valid.