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Tag: Khawaja Asif

  • Pakistan will destroy any structure India builds to stop water flow: defence minister

    Pakistan will destroy any structure India builds to stop water flow: defence minister

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned India on Friday that it would strike if it attempts to construct any structure to block the flow of water into Pakistan in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

    “If they attempt to construct such a type of structure, we will strike it and destroy it,” the Defence Minister said while speaking on a private news outlet in response to a question of whether Pakistan will strike first if India attempts to divert or stop the flow of water from western rivers.


    India had taken several measures, including putting the long-standing IWT in abeyance after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir, which killed 26 people. 

    Asif said that stopping water will be an act of aggression against Pakistan. “Aggression is not only carried out through artillery shells or gunfire. It has many types and phases. [Stopping the water] is also a phase of aggression. Such actions can lead nations to die from hunger and thirst,” he explained.

    However, in the same breath, Asif said, “But for now, we are heading to forums available to us, starting from the Indus Waters Treaty. We will pursue this matter.”

    In response to a question about the risk of war between Pakistan and India, Asif asserted that it cannot be said that the threat of war has been averted or reduced. “India had also responded 12 days later in 2019,” he added.

    Regarding the accusation of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Asif stated that India has failed to provide any concrete evidence. “Not even a shred of evidence has been placed before the international opinion or international community,” he said.

    On being asked to comment on US Vice President JD Vance’s recent statement, “Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a wider regional conflict,” the security czar said, “As per my interpretation, Vance has left room for India for face saving.”

    When the host questioned, “What if India, for face-saving attempts to make such a move [strike] like Balakot?” he responded, “We will blacken its face.”

    JD Vance in an interview with FOX News on Thursday stated, “We hope frankly that Pakistan, to the extent that they are responsible, cooperate with India to make sure the terrorists, sometimes operating in their territory, are hunted down and dealt with. That’s how we hope this unfolds.”

  • We can have a war within two to four days: defence minister

    We can have a war within two to four days: defence minister

    Amid tension between Pakistan and India following last week’s attack in Pahalgam in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday cautioned about the possibility of both countries engaging in war in the next two to four days.

    “There is a war looming on the horizon. A very vivid possibility is there that we can have a war in the next two to four days,” Asif said while appearing on a private news outlet.

    However, he clarified that, not being a military strategist, he was making such a guess as a political worker.

    Read More: India suspends 16 Pakistani YouTube channels

    When questioned, “What type of engagement war does India want with Pakistan?” the Defence Minister said, “I don’t believe that it [India] will go for an all-out [war],” adding that if an incursion happens, it will be limited to the Line of Control (LOC).

    “Our whole border is covered, including water [Navy], air [Air Force], and ground. We are ready,” he added.

    On being asked whether international efforts to defuse the tension between both countries had increased, Asif claimed that numerous countries, including Saudi Arabia, China, and Iran, had approached both Pakistan and India.

    On the Indus Water Treaty being put in abeyance by India, he said that the latter country had often asked to renegotiate the treaty in the past when he was the minister for Water and Power, adding, “There is no need for renegotiation until all parties — Pakistan, India, and the World Bank — agree.”

    The minister’s remarks come hours after he, in an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, said that a military incursion by India was imminent in the aftermath of a deadly militant attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) last week, as tensions rise between the two nuclear-armed nations.

    “We have reinforced our forces because it is imminent now. So, in that situation, some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken,” the defence minister said.

    Asif said India’s rhetoric was ramping up and that Pakistan’s military had briefed the government on the possibility of an Indian attack. However, the defence minister did not go into further details on his reasons for thinking an incursion was imminent.

  • Khawaja Asif tweets about Imran Khan 149 times in three months

    Khawaja Asif tweets about Imran Khan 149 times in three months

    Former Premier Imran Khan’s lawyer M. Azhar Siddique has shared a list of keywords used by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif since October 3, 2024, pointing out that Asif continuously posting with the keyword “Imran Khan.”

    According to the list shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Siddique on Monday, the Defense Minister used the keyword “Imran Khan” 149 times in barely three months, while the “Israel” keyword ranked second as it was used 101 times.

    Imran Khan’s lawyer mocked Khawaja Asif’s focus on Imran Khan instead of defence-related responsibilities.

    As per the 46 keywords list shared by Siddique, Khawaja Asif used “PTI” or “Tehreek-e-Insaf” 87 times, while “America” was used 39 times.

    As mentioned in the list, “Afghanistan”, “Intishar (chaos)”, and “Gandapur” keywords have been used 13 times. However, “military” was used 12 times.

    Additionally, according to the list, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader also used “ghattiya (cheap)”, “chawal (idiot)”, “beghairat (shameless)”, and “doob Kay marr (drown in shame).”

  • Defence Minister files complaint with London police after heckling, knife attack threat

    Defence Minister files complaint with London police after heckling, knife attack threat

    Defence Minister and PML-N leader Khawaja Asif on Thursday lodged a formal complaint with London police following the incident of heckling and threatening with a knife attack a couple of days ago.  

    The minister lodged his complaint during his visit to the Pakistan High Commission in London where a London police team was also present. 

    He informed the police about the knife attack threat and the harassment he faced while travelling on a train in the British capital.

    According to state-run APP, the London Transport Police are investigating the matter.

    Khawaja Asif told the police that the unfortunate incident took place around 3:30pm on the Elizabeth Line on November 11. “I am in London on a private visit with a relative, and I was travelling to Reading via the Elizabeth Line when a group of three to four individuals harassed him on the train, filmed him without permission, used abusive language, and threatened him with a knife.”

    The minister said he didn’t recognise any of the individuals involved in the incident, asking the London Transport Police to use the CCTV footage to track down the individuals involved.

    A day earlier, Geo News reported that the defence minister was heckled and threatened with a knife attack by an unknown man while he was travelling with a friend on the London Underground’s Elizabeth Line on Monday afternoon.

    This is not the first time that Pakistani officials or political leaders have been harassed and heckled in the British capital.

    A couple of weeks ago, a chasing and heckling incident took place with former chief justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa whose vehicle was attacked by the supporters of a political party at London’s Middle Temple.

    PML-N leaders Marriyum Aurangzeb and Hina Pervaiz Butt were also harassed and heckled by people in London in the past. 

  • Man heckles Khawaja Asif, threatens with ‘knife attack’ at London ground station

    Man heckles Khawaja Asif, threatens with ‘knife attack’ at London ground station

    An unknown man intercepted Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and threatened him with a “knife attack” at London ground station, a social media video showed on Wednesday.

    Geo News quoted its sources as having confirmed the heckling and mistreatment of the seasoned politician near Heathrow Airport on Tuesday. The suspect, who recorded the video, hurled abuses and threatened the defence minister.

    The PML-N government reportedly took notice of the incident, instructing the Pakistan High Commission in London to contact British Transport police for the probe. 

    Khawaja Asif is currently in London on a private visit where he also met PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his daughter and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

    Flanked by the defence minister, Nawaz told his supporters in London that such individuals had been “trained and groomed” to chase the people.

    Regretting the misbehaviour and calling the party stalwart a “fighter”, the former prime minister lamented the individual who hurled abuses at him saying, “This is their fate”. 

    Khawaja Asif, in a statement, said that the process of reporting the threatening incident was in progress. “A camera was also installed there. I do not know the person who threatened me,” he said.

    A couple of weeks ago, a chasing and heckling incident took place with former chief justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa whose vehicle was attacked by the supporters of a political party at London’s Middle Temple.

    PML-N leaders Marriyum Aurangzeb and Hina Pervaiz Butt were also harassed and heckled by people in London in the past. 

     

     

  • Khawaja Asif hints at possibility of deal after Bushra Bibi’s release

    Khawaja Asif hints at possibility of deal after Bushra Bibi’s release

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggested on Tuesday that Imran Khan’s wife’s recent release from prison and departure to Peshawar were not usual developments, hinting at a “behind the scene story.”

    Asif also posted a message on his social media account saying that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, had “tricks” to make tall claims, threaten, appear and suddenly disappear from his party rallies.

    “Perhaps the entire PTI are in the process of making a fool of themselves. There is an indication of a behind-the-scene story in saying goodbye to Punjab by Begum Sahiba and her camping in the annexe of the Peshawar Chief Minister House. These two personalities give news of a fixed wrestling and some sort of an apology. And this is not happening without the will of the PTI founder,” the Federal Minister wrote.

    He also stated that all of them are fooling party workers. Furthermore, while talking to a reporter outside the Parliament, Khawaja Asif said, “We need to observe why she [Bushra Bibi] went to the frontier [KP]? Even though their own supporters say that their CM KP has his software updated, why did she go there?”

    The PML-N leader clarified that he was not speculating but only observing the current circumstances. “She has a house here in Islamabad, and another in Lahore, but why did she decide to go to Peshawar,” the minister asked.

    On October 24, Bushra Bibi was released from Adiala Jail a day after being granted bail in the new Toshakhana case, ending nearly nine months of detention.

    The former first lady was taken into custody on January 31 after an Islamabad accountability court sentenced her and Khan to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana reference.

    Bushra had been incarcerated in Adiala Jail, and in the most recent case, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has accused the couple of retaining an expensive Bvlgari jewellery set gifted by a foreign leader — including a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and rings — at a low price, saying it caused significant loss to the exchequer.

    Later in the day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Saif said she safely reached Peshawar, where she would stay for some time.

    Speaking outside Adiala Jail, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan highlighted that the former first lady had “endured jail for nine months in extreme conditions with a lot of courage”.

    Earlier this week, Gohar also clarified that Bushra’s release is on merit and has nothing to do with any alleged deal. Similarly, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram defended Khan’s spouse, saying that Bushra Bibi is a housewife and can live wherever she likes to.

  • PTI postponed rally out of ‘fear of rejection’, says Khawaja Asif

    PTI postponed rally out of ‘fear of rejection’, says Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) postponed its August 22 rally in Islamabad due to “fear of rejection” by the people.

    Khawaja Asif claimed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan would not have cancelled the rally if it was going to be successful. And to protect the image of its popularity, PTI is building a “false narrative.” 

    Khawaja Asif pointed out apparent differences between the PTI leadership regarding the August 22 rally and said that they have no “real intention” of getting Imran Khan freed from jail.

    Responding to Imran’s meeting with Azam Swati, Khawaja said, “Meetings or conversations in jail cannot remain a secret; your every movement is recorded.”

    He called Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Ali Amin Gandapur “Buzdar 2” and remarked, “A blame game is underway in the PTI-led province as his [Gandapur] cabinet members are calling him [a] thief.”

  • Khawaja Asif thinks Imran Khan’s trial will be in military court

    Khawaja Asif thinks Imran Khan’s trial will be in military court

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan’s former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s trial will be open in a military court if it is connected with the May 9 riots.

    Talking on Shahzeb Khanzada’s talk show on Geo News, Asif said, “We don’t have any precedent that any general’s military trial was held in an open court in the country’s history.”

    He pointed out that there were 24 convictions during the Imran Khan-led government in the military trial court.

    He added, “If the PTI founder faces any trial in a military court, then I can assure you that it would be open to the public and media because he is a civilian.”

    Commenting on the May 9 riots, Asif said that manpower was provided by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan and strategies were done by Faiz Hameed to target military installations.

  • No, Khawaja Asif, there are no global firewalls to restrain social media

    No, Khawaja Asif, there are no global firewalls to restrain social media

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that safety firewalls are being implemented to ensure checks and balances on uncontrolled social media sites. He made this statement during his appearance on the talk show ‘Faisla Aap Ka’ with journalist Asma Sherazi.

    ‘’Everything will be fine after some days,’’ he said.

    Khawaja Asif added that developed, democratic countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) also have protective systems to filter out content and websites deemed anti-state and anti-society.

    “Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) also have filters or use different technologies to address spam, phishing attacks, and other unwanted content, but these are all private companies,” explains Jason Pielemeier, the executive director of the US-based Global Network Initiative (GNI), in a conversation with Geo Fact Check.

  • ‘It’s not possible’; Reporting in internet-challenged Pakistan

    ‘It’s not possible’; Reporting in internet-challenged Pakistan

    With the primary shift from newspapers to television channels and now to digital media applications, the dissemination of information has become increasingly competitive for newsrooms, with the latest updates just a click away.

    “Delays can be managed with newspapers, but today everything is in your hands—specifically, mobile phones,” says Raees Ansari, Bureau Chief of Geo News in Lahore.

    “Every single second is crucial in reporting now; some footage needs to be sent and put on air instantly. But due to poor network conditions and slow WhatsApp, content is not being sent on time, which is affecting our professional activities,” he reveals.

    Over the past week, internet users across Pakistan have reported network disruptions, with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram experiencing slowdowns, hindering online activities. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has denied any connection between these issues and the alleged firewall installation.

    Since the ban on X (formerly Twitter) on February 17, 2024, many have turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The ongoing disturbances, however, have complicated internet usage, which is crucial for a number of professions.

    Sumaira Raja, an investigative reporter, who is mostly found out on the field, complains of encountering issues with not only the internet but also phone signals which often prevents her from conveying news on time.

    “I also experience delays with receiving beepers, as head office frequently reports that the number is not available due to poor signals. This situation makes it very difficult to do my job. I’ve tried using a VPN, but it hasn’t worked,” Raja says.

    Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani recalls when javelin champion Arshad Nadeem returned to Pakistan on August 17 after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, all the visuals sent through WhatsApp by reporters were delayed, and they struggled to download them unless they used a VPN.

    “This situation is very challenging and affects our workflow. When reporters are working on a story or covering an event, they need to stay connected with the desk. We usually rely on voice notes to pass instructions, but since we started encountering this issue, we are struggling with that method too,” he says.

    “We have been told that the network disruption is because of the firewall installation. While things are becoming easier around the world, it has been getting harder for us. Everything is happening with the help of technology and the current situation is a major challenge.” says Ansari.

    What’s happening?

    A highly placed source in the IT industry identifies that filtering of content delivery networks (CDNs) through Firewall is causing content to be routed via internet backbone rather than CDNs.

    “This means that around 4 TBs of internet traffic previously served through CDNs, hosted in Pakistan, is becoming ineffective. When all traffic goes on backbone bypassing CDNs, it’s causing massive slowdown at many western destinations that’s happening now,” he explains.

    Recently, Fiverr, an online marketplace for freelance services, warned clients that Pakistani freelancers may experience delays due to internet issues and the use of VPNs to change their locations.

    “Brace for impact. God save the internet in Pakistan”, says the IT expert.

    Background

    It all started on February 17, 2024, about a week into the new government, when X (formerly Twitter) was banned.

    Initially, amid the uproar, the government remained silent on the matter while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) seemed aloof until the High Courts of Sindh and Islamabad intervened. The PTA eventually admitted that the ban on X was imposed on the orders of the Ministry of Interior based on reports from intelligence agencies.

    The government eventually justified the ban by attributing it to national security concerns, citing ‘digital terrorism‘ and online propaganda as among the threats.

    Earlier in August, Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the government is not against social media but wants to focus on rules and regulations, which, if enforced, could lead to the removal of the ban on X.

    The disruption has now extended beyond X, affecting other widely used apps along with the internet.

    Ironically, since the February 2024 election, the new government has emphasised the need to grow the tech industry in Pakistan.

    In March, Lahore Knowledge Park (a science park) was handed over to the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority with the approval of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, with the goal of establishing Pakistan’s largest IT city.

    In June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Shenzhen— the tech hub in China— in hopes of future collaboration. Ironically, he posted on X (Twitter), expressing how “impressed” he was by the “city’s skyline and development that symbolizes modern-day China.”

    Given the lack of proper infrastructure in the country amid burgeoning surveillance, how will Pakistan evolve in the rapidly transforming digital world? It remains to be seen – but likely we won’t be able to download it.