Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also recalls his 36-year political career, four imprisonments and criticism of the alleged political misuse of accountability institutions.
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Pakistan’s recent conflict with India was the first war between the two countries in which there was no ambiguity over the outcome, saying India and its military had acknowledged the result.
Addressing a ceremony in Sialkot, the defence minister described the development as a major achievement and an honour for Pakistan. He said the country had defeated an enemy five times larger than itself, arguing that previous wars between the two neighbouring countries had often left room for different interpretations.
“This is a great honour for Pakistan,” Asif said, claiming that India itself and its military had acknowledged the outcome of the latest conflict.
The minister also spoke about his political journey, saying he entered politics in 1991 and had spent the past 36 years serving the country. He described Sialkot as his identity and said improving the lives of its residents remained his responsibility.
Reflecting on the challenges of his political career, Asif acknowledged that decades in politics sometimes left him feeling exhausted. However, he said a recent meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in parliament had renewed his energy and motivation.
Asif said he had experienced several political ups and downs and had been imprisoned four times during his career.
Recalling his periods in detention, the defence minister said he was held at Attock Fort during the government of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. He also recalled spending six months in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody in 2020, during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
He claimed that despite keeping him in detention for six months, NAB officials could not clearly explain the charges against him.
The minister also criticised what he described as the political misuse of accountability institutions, saying governments sometimes arrest political opponents before deciding which charges to bring against them.
He maintained that political victimisation had never served the national interest and warned that using imprisonment and accountability proceedings to settle political scores could harm the country.
Turning to Pakistan’s international position, Asif said the country had secured considerable importance at the diplomatic level, describing its standing among the international community as a matter of pride.
Reiterating his remarks about the conflict with India, he said Pakistan’s military success against a much larger adversary had strengthened the country’s standing and demonstrated its capabilities.
His address combined remarks about Pakistan’s military performance and diplomatic position with reflections on his political career, personal experiences in detention and concerns about the use of accountability proceedings against political opponents.
About The Author
