Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has ignited a heated debate on social media with his latest post on X (formerly Twitter).
Asif rebuked Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last Shah, for his remarks that Iranian people are energised to topple the “weak regime” after illegal Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday killed its top commanders and nuclear scientists.
In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, Pahlavi said, “When you are dealing with the movement of civil disobedience and non-violence against a very brutal regime. At some points, the odds have to shift towards the people. I think people are sensing that right now,” adding that Israeli attacks resulted in creating a new wave of energy and hope.
“You have opposed the Iranian regime for a very long time, though. What evidence do you have that the strikes from Israel are actually stirring up more opposition,” the interviewer asked.
In response, Pahlavi said that the Iranian people and the world have realised that the “root cause of the problem has been the regime in its nature”, adding that the current regime, no longer in effect, is the only solution that would benefit the Iranian people.
“….The ultimate solution is the regime change. Now we have the opportunity because the regime is at its weakest point. There is a window in which we can operate and liberate our country,” he suggested
He went on to further say that when the regime will fall, the world would breathe a sigh of relief and that they would no longer have to fear nuclear threats, terrorism and radicalisation.
Following the interview, the Pakistani defence minister took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “If Iranian people are energised and motivated according to you, show some b*lls and go back and lead them and remove the regime.”
He then called Pahlavi a “bloody parasitical imperial traitor” but a few minutes later, edited it to “imperial wh*re”. He then ended the tweet by saying, “Put your money where your a*se is.”
Internet users from across the globe flooded Asif’s replies, most of them admiring the defence minister for calling out Pahlavi, who has been unapologetic about supporting Zionism.
Author and activist Trita Parsi expressed awe for Asif’s post for not mincing his words. “OMG… This is Pakistan’s defense minister, calling the son of the Shah a ‘bloody parasitical imperial wh*re’ for cheerleading Israel’s war of aggression against Iran,” Parsi wrote.
“Aside from enjoying the mirth factor, my confidence is bolstered that Pakistan may genuinely back up Iran against the evil entity, particularly in a way that will dissuade a ‘Samson Option’ strike (sic),” wrote one user.
Another user expressed wonder at Asif for choosing such bold words, asking, “WAIT WHAT DID I JUST READ?”. Another wrote, “Imperial whatttttt. Man is he the defence minister.”
One Pakistani user sarcastically wrote, “When a true Sialkotiya curses in English, it still gives you the full desi flavor.”
“OMG! Wow! My respect for Asif Khawaja Saab has gone through the roof! Now this is what you call straight talking, no nonsense! I love it,” said another netizen.
Some users called out Asif for using foul language. A user, while calling Asif’s tweet an “utterly undiplomatic and inappropriate outburst,” wrote, “Personal dislike or political disagreements should never justify crude language, especially from someone holding a high constitutional office. Statesmanship demands restraint, not rudeness.”
“You’re not a random sh*tposter but Defence Minister of a country,” another person wrote.
“Utter shame and disgust that a sitting defence minister has been using such language,” one netizens opined.
