'Decades-long Afghan hospitality was Pakistan’s gravest error'

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that Pakistan, in its 78-year history, had made several mistakes, but termed the prolonged hospitality extended to Afghans as the gravest error, adding that he prayed for forgiveness.

Taking to X (formrly, he said allegations that Pakistan had attacked a hospital in Afghanistan were being made by those who themselves had been involved in attacks on mosques, the killing of worshippers at prayer, and assaults on civilians, markets and schools, including violence against children.

He said those involved in drug smuggling and attacks on the state were the same individuals whom Pakistan had sheltered for five decades. He said such elements had failed to honour their commitments and instead demanded ransom to fulfil financial pledges amounting to billions of rupees.

The defence minister said Pakistan had not only provided refuge to Afghans but had also confronted a superpower and extended hospitality over three generations.