Defense Minister Khawaja Asif. PHOTO: APP/File
ISLAMABAD:
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday that Pakistan’s efforts to end the US-Iran war posed no risks to the country; rather, its benefits were immense, highlighting that staying away from the conflict was not an option.
In a television interview, Asif said Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye were involved in efforts to stop the war and prevent further destruction in the region, adding that Islamabad was playing a “very pivotal role” in ending a conflict involving a sister Muslim community.
Asif described the situation as a historic opportunity for Pakistan. “We have to take advantage of these opportunities that nature provides. I think staying away is not an option,” he said, adding that there were “not many huge risk factors” for Pakistan, and “I think the benefits are huge.”
The Defense Minister attributed Pakistan’s mediating role to its “improved image” internationally and among Muslim countries after last year’s military conflict with India. He said Pakistan is in a “unique phase” of its history, marked by great confidence.
“The other side of this coin is our relations with the United States and the direction they have taken,” Asif told the interviewer, adding that Pakistan had never before achieved the kind of position it now maintains in its diplomacy with Washington.
He noted that Pakistan is in an active state of war with Afghanistan, while tensions with India remain “tepid.” “I think history is in the making. Pakistan’s leadership and the hybrid system… are giving results. I think both Pindi and Islamabad have realized that Pakistan’s respect is rooted in a joint leadership front,” he said.
When asked about the mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and the kingdom’s possible response to Iran, he said: “We could be subject to the situation, you are absolutely right. That is why the role of diplomacy is even more important, so we will not let that situation arise and avoid it.”
When asked about reports that Pakistan would host the US-Iran talks, Asif declined to comment directly, saying it would be better for the process to unfold naturally. He also reprimanded Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar for his disparaging comments on Pakistan.
On operations in Afghanistan, he said Pakistan had managed to create pressure but could not predict the long-term outcome. “The operation we started has not concluded, there was a pause due to Eid and the world’s attention is currently focused on a larger conflict,” he said.
“We will not give them any respite, there is no doubt about that. We have to conclude this operation to obtain maximum results,” he added. The minister expressed hope that China’s influence in Afghanistan would help resolve the crisis conclusively.
