Islamabad, April 27, 2025: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a strong warning to India, pledging that any provocation or aggression from New Delhi would trigger a “more than appropriate response” from Islamabad.
In an interview with Russian broadcaster RT, Asif stressed Pakistan’s preference for peace but made it clear that the country would not hesitate to defend its sovereignty if challenged. “While we seek to avoid military conflict, any act of aggression will be met with decisive action,” he warned.
The Defence Minister’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals following the deadly attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir — an attack India has blamed on Pakistan. Asif categorically rejected the allegations, calling them baseless attempts to malign Pakistan’s image.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s historical role in global geopolitics, Asif described the country’s involvement during the Soviet-Afghan War of the 1980s as a pivotal but regrettable decision. He admitted that Pakistan’s alliance with Western powers at the time, particularly the United States, created long-term instability.
“We became a platform for jihadists — a decision that has had disastrous consequences for our nation,” he said, expressing deep regret.
Asif also criticized Washington for abandoning Pakistan after the Soviet withdrawal, only to later return during the post-9/11 Afghanistan conflict. He argued that the regional security situation has worsened significantly, particularly after the chaotic U.S. exit from Afghanistan in 2021.
Touching on the humanitarian challenges Pakistan faces, Asif highlighted the plight of around six million undocumented Afghan nationals currently residing in Pakistan. He urged the international community to address this growing crisis, lamenting the lack of support from regional stakeholders.
Regarding the recent escalation with India, Asif dismissed New Delhi’s accusations of Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives, calling it part of a larger smear campaign against Islamabad.
In retaliation for the attack, India expelled Pakistani diplomats, canceled visas, and unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty — a vital decades-old agreement. Asif warned that any move by India to block or divert Pakistan’s water supply would be viewed as an “act of war,” underscoring the gravity of the situation.
