Islamabad, April 28, 2025: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a clarification regarding his recent comments on the possibility of war with India, stating that his remarks were misconstrued and taken out of context.
In a statement released on Monday, Khawaja Asif explained that during an interview with an international media outlet, he was asked about the current regional tensions.
“I responded by saying that the next two to three days are crucial in the current situation. I did not say that war would break out in two to three days, but emphasized that the situation is critical and the threat of war is real,” Asif said.
The defence minister warned that the region faces a significant threat, with heavy troop deployments on both sides of the Pakistan-India border.
“We are mentally prepared for war, and our three armed forces stand ready to defend the country,” he affirmed.
Reiterating Pakistan’s defensive stance, Asif stated that any aggression against Pakistan would be met with a strong and immediate response.
“If our geographical boundaries are crossed, a crushing reply will be given. No one should have any doubt about our readiness,” he said.
Commenting on the recent Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Asif said Pakistan has called for an impartial international inquiry — a proposal that India has yet to respond to.
“We want to expose the fabricated allegations leveled against Pakistan under the guise of the Pahalgam incident,” he added.
The minister further highlighted that Pakistan would respond firmly to any misadventure by India carried out under the pretext of false flag operations.
On the issue of the Indus Waters Treaty, Asif pointed out that India has long been attempting to exit the agreement.
“Pakistan will not hesitate to act if India takes any hostile measures regarding the treaty,” he warned, adding that the Indus Waters Treaty, with the World Bank as its guarantor, does not allow unilateral decisions by either party.
He confirmed that the treaty will be a top agenda item during the upcoming meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee.
