Defense Minister Khawaja Asif. PHOTO: APPLICATION/File
ISLAMABAD:
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Friday that Pakistan’s efforts to end the US-Iran war pose no risk to the country; its benefits were rather immense, emphasizing that staying away from the conflict was not an option.
In a television interview, Asif said Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey were involved in efforts to end the war and prevent further destruction in the region, adding that Islamabad played a “very central role” in ending a conflict involving a brotherly Muslim community.
Asif described the situation as a historic opportunity for Pakistan. “We need to take advantage of the opportunities provided by nature. 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 strong confidence.
“Another 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 reached the kind of position it occupies today in its diplomacy with Washington.
He stressed that Pakistan is in a state of active war with Afghanistan, while tensions with India remain “lukewarm”. “I think history is being made. Pakistan’s leadership and the hybrid system… are delivering results. I think Pindi and Islamabad have realized that respect for Pakistan is rooted in a common leadership front,” he said.
Asked about the mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and the kingdom’s possible response to Iran, he said: “We might be subject to the situation, you are absolutely right. That’s why the role of diplomacy is all the more important, so we don’t let this situation happen and avoid it.”
Asked about reports that Pakistan would host US-Iran talks, Asif declined to comment directly, saying it would be better if the process happened naturally. He also reprimanded Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar for his derogatory remarks against Pakistan.
On operations in Afghanistan, he said Pakistan had succeeded in creating pressure but could not predict long-term results. “The operation we started is not over, there was a lull due to Eid and the world’s attention is currently focused on a more serious conflict,” he said.
“We will not give them any respite, there is no doubt about it. We must conclude this operation to obtain the maximum results,” he added. The minister expressed hope that China’s influence in Afghanistan would help resolve the crisis once and for all.
