Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Issues Stern Warning to India
Pakistan “200% Ready” to Respond to Any Aggression:
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, has issued a strong warning to India, asserting that Pakistan is “200% ready” to respond decisively to any form of military aggression. In an exclusive interview with Samaa TV, Asif emphasized that while Pakistan does not seek conflict, its nuclear deterrence guarantees the country’s sovereignty and survival.
“We are a nuclear state not because we want war, but because it ensures our sovereignty,” Asif stated, stressing that if India initiates aggression, Pakistan will retaliate in kind.
Alleged Indian Role in Terrorism:
Asif also accused India of actively planning terrorist activities within Pakistan, with intelligence reports confirming that India is providing bombs to banned outfits such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to create instability. He called these groups India’s proxies, whose goal is to fuel chaos across Pakistan‘s provinces.
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He further pointed out India’s historical record of sponsoring terrorism, including incidents in Canada and the United States, and highlighted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was once banned from entering the US due to his alleged involvement in the Gujarat riots.
Bollywood Spin on Kashmir Attacks:
On the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Asif rejected India’s claims that Pakistan was involved, calling out the Indian media for spinning a “Bollywood-style narrative”. He also reminded the audience that during the Pulwama attack, there were speculations within India itself that it could have been a false flag operation. “Bollywood seems to have more influence on newsrooms than facts,” he remarked, noting that Muslims also suffered casualties in the Pahalgam incident.
Indus Waters Treaty & Regional Tensions:
Addressing India’s reported move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, Asif warned that such a decision could set a dangerous precedent, and Pakistan plans to take the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He also warned that growing tensions between two nuclear-armed nations could lead to both regional and global instability, calling for responsible intervention from global powers.
Afghanistan’s Role in Cross-Border Violence:
Asif also highlighted the continued cross-border violence from Afghanistan, urging the interim Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities. “We have sacrificed a lot for Afghanistan,” he said, mentioning the six million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan.
A Nod to Abhinandan Episode:
In a veiled reference to the 2019 airspace violation by Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Asif reminded India of Pakistan’s swift and decisive response. “Whenever our airspace has been violated, the result is in front of everyone. We welcomed Nandan with tea — and sent him home after making our point.”
Tensions continue to mount as both countries navigate the fragile geopolitical landscape in the region. Would you like a summary or further analysis of any part of the interview?