Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly acknowledged the country’s past alliance with the United States, criticizing Washington for using Islamabad for its strategic interests and then abandoning it once goals were achieved. Asif highlighted Pakistan’s involvement in two Afghan wars as significant mistakes, attributing the current terrorism challenges faced by the nation to those decisions. He also criticized the post-9/11 realignment with the US, stating that Pakistan suffered greatly for supporting America in the global war on terror.
Reflecting on the aftermath of these alliances, Asif lamented that Pakistan bore the brunt of prolonged violence, increased radicalization, and economic hardships. He questioned the narrative that framed Pakistan’s participation in Afghan conflicts as a religious duty, emphasizing that it was more about appeasing a superpower than serving Islam. Asif underscored that the repercussions of past policies, including ideological changes in the education system to justify war involvement, continue to impact Pakistan’s social and political landscape.
The Defence Minister concluded by stating that the losses incurred due to these decisions were irreversible and could never be fully compensated. He criticized the denial of past mistakes and emphasized that terrorism in the country was a consequence of errors made by previous dictators. Asif urged for a recognition of history and a critical evaluation of past actions to prevent similar detrimental outcomes in the future.
