Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Condemns Israeli Aggression on Iran, Urges Muslim Unity

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, strongly condemned Israel’s aggression against Iran, stating that if the Muslim world fails to unite, all nations will eventually face the same fate. Addressing a session of the National Assembly under the chairmanship of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Asif remarked that while the budget debate was underway, an attack had taken place on Pakistan’s neighboring country, Iran, which is a brotherly Islamic nation with deep ties to Pakistan.
Asif emphasized the historic and profound relationship between Pakistan and Iran, stressing that Iran, along with Yemen and Palestine, is a target of Israeli aggression. He warned that unless the Muslim world stands united, every country in the region would eventually be at risk. In this critical moment, he called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the situation.
He further stated that while the rest of the world is speaking out against Israel’s actions, the Muslim world has been relatively silent. “The conscience of non-Muslim nations is awakening, but the conscience of Muslim nations remains dormant,” he added.
The defense minister also criticized former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for their roles during the 2019 airstrike incident involving Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He accused them of compromising the national dignity during a meeting in Committee Room 2, where they made decisions that, according to him, harmed the country’s honor.
Asif praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for restoring Pakistan’s credibility in international institutions, highlighting the successful steps taken under their leadership.
In a broader political statement, Asif criticized the cult of personality in Pakistan’s political scene, stressing that true patriotism lies in the welfare of the nation and not in promoting individual leaders. He urged the creation of a new leadership to ensure the survival of political parties, stating that politics should not be about personal gain or preserving power for the sake of it.
Referring to the conflict with India, Asif recalled how Pakistan’s military, especially the Air Force, responded valiantly to India’s aggression. He noted that at no point did Pakistan compromise its national honor, and the resilience of the armed forces gave the nation a renewed sense of confidence.
Asif concluded by praising the Finance Minister’s efforts in presenting a robust budget, acknowledging that while the people are still facing challenges, the country is on the path to economic recovery and growth in the coming months and years.