Tuesday | February 04, 2025
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has firmly dismissed any possibility of external pressure from the United States regarding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated. Speaking on the popular Geo News show Capital Talk, Asif emphasized that Pakistan’s relationship with the US is far broader than any single individual, political party, or incident. He stressed that the “canvas” of bilateral ties between the two nations is expansive, extending well beyond the personal or political disputes involving any specific Pakistani figure or party.
Asif’s comments were in response to growing speculation that the new administration under President Donald Trump might intervene in favor of Khan’s release, particularly following a series of posts from American lawmakers on social media. Some members of the US Congress had voiced support for Khan, raising questions about potential American influence on the Pakistani government.
The defence minister acknowledged that, at the time, a number of US lawmakers, including prominent figures such as Richard Grenell, a former aide to Trump, had shared their opinions on X (formerly Twitter) in support of Khan’s release. However, Asif pointed out that some of these lawmakers had later deleted their posts, suggesting that the matter was not as straightforward as it might appear.
In further clarification, Asif noted that while these actions from certain US politicians were garnering attention, Islamabad continues to maintain a “proper engagement” with the US government, emphasizing that bilateral relations should not be reduced to the issue of any single political leader’s imprisonment.
The remarks reflect a broader effort by Pakistan’s government to downplay any suggestion of foreign meddling in domestic political affairs, particularly in relation to Khan’s legal troubles. The opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been vocal in its hopes that external pressure might help secure Khan’s release, but Asif’s statement serves as a clear reminder of Pakistan’s stance on the issue — one that places emphasis on national sovereignty and the broader scope of US-Pakistan relations.
Ultimately, Asif’s comments indicate a desire to focus on the larger strategic and diplomatic ties between the two nations, rather than getting entangled in the specifics of a single political conflict.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s comments followed the visit of Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, to the United States last month. Naqvi’s trip was marked by meetings with key members of former President Donald Trump’s foreign policy team, along with influential US lawmakers. During his visit, Naqvi expressed optimism about the future of US-Pakistan relations, claiming that the meetings would lead to “positive results very soon” due to the strong ties both sides were enjoying. His statement underscored the sense of goodwill and cooperation that has been built between the two countries, especially in recent years.
As part of his diplomatic engagement, Naqvi attended a special dinner reception at the Lincoln Liberty Hall in Washington, where he had the opportunity to interact with prominent American senators and members of Congress. Notable figures at the event included Senator Tommy Tuberville and Congressman Ken Calvert, among others. These high-level engagements were seen as a testament to the continued importance of US-Pakistan relations, despite occasional tensions in the past.
The diplomatic relationship between Islamabad and Washington has a long history, dating back to August 15, 1947, when the United States was one of the first countries to officially recognize Pakistan after its independence. Over the decades, the ties between the two countries have been marked by both cooperation and conflict, with fluctuating dynamics depending on the political climate and global events. However, despite these ups and downs, the US remains a critical partner for Pakistan, particularly in areas such as security, counterterrorism, and military assistance.
While speaking about these broader diplomatic relations, Asif also highlighted some of the challenges Pakistan currently faces, particularly in terms of security. He pointed to the increasing wave of terrorism in Pakistan, which has seen an uptick in attacks, particularly in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to Asif, these attacks have been exacerbated by the use of “sophisticated” weapons that were originally supplied to Afghanistan, but are now being used by militants from groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). These advanced weapons, which include firearms and explosives, have dramatically increased both the intensity and frequency of attacks, leading to a higher number of fatalities.
In his remarks, Asif conveyed a sense of determination and optimism, stating that Pakistan’s armed forces and people would ultimately overcome this surge in terrorism due to their resilience. He noted that the Pakistani military is actively working to counter these threats, despite the challenges posed by the increasingly sophisticated weaponry in the hands of militants.
Asif also made significant allegations regarding India’s involvement in these terrorism incidents. He claimed that India was behind some of the attacks in Pakistan, particularly those carried out by insurgent groups in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. In a pointed remark, he mentioned that he had provided the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan with evidence that Indian consulates were actively involved in operations in border areas like Jalalabad. This claim, if true, would suggest a covert attempt by India to destabilize Pakistan by fueling terrorism along its borders.
The Defence Minister’s statement added a layer of geopolitical complexity to the ongoing security situation in Pakistan. While he called for resilience and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to overcome these threats, he also pointed to regional rivalries and the involvement of neighboring countries like India in shaping the security landscape. These statements highlight the continuing challenges faced by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, which are further complicated by the broader international and regional dynamics in South Asia.
Ultimately, while Khawaja Asif’s remarks underscored the enduring significance of US-Pakistan relations and the positive diplomatic engagements between the two countries, they also emphasized the complex security challenges facing Pakistan, with terrorism, foreign involvement, and regional tensions all playing a part in the country’s ongoing struggle for stability.