ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has cautioned that the risk of another war with India persists, noting that proxy conflicts remain an ongoing threat decades after their inception. Speaking on a private television talk show, Asif said the proxy war, which began in the 1980s, has evolved into a tool of modern warfare, […]
Khawaja Asif
Afghanistan supporting terrorism, India backing Kabul: Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Afghanistan supports terrorism while India backs Kabul. He confirmed Afghan nationals were behind recent attacks. He vowed Pakistan will track and eliminate all terrorist elements. Khawaja Asif addressed the media in Islamabad, highlighting Afghan involvement in both recent attacks, including the Islamabad blast. He criticized Kabul for not taking […]
Shehbaz blames Afghanistan, India for terror attacks
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday accused Afghanistan and India of involvement in recent terror incidents, pledging a “befitting response” to the enemies of Pakistan. Addressing the National Assembly after the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the premier said the evidence of external involvement in the attacks was “no longer a secret.” Citing […]
Khawaja Asif: Afghanistan’s trade cut ‘a blessing in disguise’ for Pakistan
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday downplayed Afghanistan’s move to reduce transit trade with Pakistan, calling it “a relief” rather than a setback. Speaking on Geo News, he said the decision would help curb smuggling and terrorism that often came under the guise of cross-border trade. Asif argued that most Afghan goods imported through Karachi […]
Pakistan-Afghanistan talks collapse in Istanbul: Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday that talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border terrorism have “ended indefinitely” after negotiators failed to bridge their differences during the third round of discussions in Istanbul. He confirmed that the ceasefire remains intact “for now,” but warned that Pakistan would respond decisively to any violation. “Negotiations […]
Pak-Afghan peace talks end without any outcome
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday that the talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan are “over” and have “entered an indefinite phase” as negotiators failed to bridge deep differences between the two sides. “Right now, as we speak, negotiations are over,” said the defence minister while speaking to the media. Earlier, officials and sources said […]
Clarity on 27th Amendment expected soon
ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that clarity on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment is expected within the next few days, after which the bill may be tabled in parliament next week. He assured that ongoing consultations would ensure no rollback of the 18th Amendment, which devolved key powers to the provinces. […]
Khawaja Asif dodges question on alleged hypersonic missile test
ISLAMABAD — Defence Minister Khawaja Asif avoided confirming or denying reports about Pakistan conducting a hypersonic ballistic missile test, saying such matters should not be discussed publicly. “Now don’t ask all these questions. Ask such things in private,” Asif remarked during an interview on Samaa TV’s show Mere Sawal on Friday when asked about the […]
India wants to keep us ‘busy’ on eastern, western fronts: Kh Asif
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Saturday that India wanted to keep Pakistan busy and engaged on the eastern and western fronts amid tensions with Kabul and New Delhi. Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed early on Friday morning to continue a ceasefire between the two countries following a rapid deterioration of ties and a brief conflict […]
Khawaja Asif: Pakistan-Afghanistan ties depend on ending TTP support
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that relations with Afghanistan cannot normalize until the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sponsorship ends. He stressed that Pakistan demands a complete halt to cross-border attacks from Afghan territory. Asif said an interim agreement was reached recently between Pakistan and Afghanistan, mediated by Qatar and Turkey. He added that another […]