PAK'S APPEAL TO DONALD TRUMP
In an interview with GeoTV, Asif continued Pakistan's tradition of over-the-top flattery of Trump and welcomed him to mediate between the former allies.
"I think presidents in America have been responsible for wars. This is the first president (Trump) who has stopped wars. In the last 15-20 years, the US has sponsored wars, and he (Trump) is the first president to negotiate peace. If he wants to look into the Pakistan-Afghanistan war, he is most welcome," the Pakistani defence minister said.
In fact, Trump himself indicated last week that he might try to intervene in the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict to help bring peace.
Pakistan has expressed skepticism over a recent ceasefire with the Taliban and controversially accused India of backing the militant group, while appealing to U.S. President Donald Trump to mediate the escalating tensions.
Here’s a breakdown of the unfolding situation:
🔥 Pakistan-Taliban border conflict
- Deadly clashes erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, prompting a ceasefire announced on October 16, 2025, after pressure from regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Qatar NDTV | MSN.
- Pakistan claims the Taliban is supporting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who have launched attacks inside Pakistani territory The Times of India | MSN.
- Civilian and military casualties have been reported, though numbers vary between sources The Times of India | MSN.
🇮🇳 The India accusation
- Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleged that the Taliban is fighting a “proxy war” on behalf of India, calling it a strategic move to destabilize Pakistan The Times of India | MSN Amazon S3 | MSN.
- These claims come amid recent diplomatic engagements between India and Afghanistan, which Islamabad views with suspicion The Times of India | MSN.
🇺🇸 Trump’s involvement
- In a surprising move, Pakistan has turned to President Donald Trump, asking him to mediate the conflict and help enforce the ceasefire India Today.
- Trump, known for his unconventional diplomacy, previously claimed he prevented an India-Pakistan war by threatening 200% tariffs on both nations PTC News.
- Pakistan hopes Trump can add this crisis to his list of “peace trophies,” as tensions remain high despite the temporary truce India Today.
🌍 Regional implications
- The situation underscores the fragile nature of South Asian geopolitics, where historical rivalries and militant networks complicate peace efforts.
- India has not officially responded to Pakistan’s claims, but analysts suggest the accusation may be aimed at deflecting internal criticism and rallying international support.
This episode reflects a volatile mix of diplomacy, blame-shifting, and strategic maneuvering. Whether Trump steps in effectively—or the ceasefire holds—remains to be seen.
Would you like to explore how past India-Pakistan conflicts were mediated or how ceasefires are brokered in such high-stakes regions?
Sources: The Times of India | MSN NDTV | MSN Amazon S3 | MSN India Today PTC News
A BROADER AGENDA?
However, behind Trump's keen interest may be a broader agenda. Last month, Trump said the US wanted to take back control of Afghanistan's Bagram air base near Kabul, which he said was an hour away from where "China makes its nuclear weapons". However, the Taliban has firmly rejected Trump's push to take back the air base.
Under Trump 2.0, ties between Pakistan and the US have seen a drastic change in the last few months. From signing cryptocurrency deals to crediting Trump for ending the conflict with India and proposing his name for the Nobel Peace Prize, Pakistan and its leaders have been in overdrive to curry favour with America.
