ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan should be part of the force being sent to Gaza.
Speaking to a private TV channel, he said Pakistan’s position on the Abraham Accords is clear, and its stance on a two-state solution will not change.
He said Afghanistan has become a sanctuary for terrorists, and India is behind the cross-border attacks inside Pakistan. He added that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran and China want an end to this infiltration.
Asif warned that India would benefit if Pakistan becomes engaged on two fronts. He said India never wants stable Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Responding to a question, he said Pakistan cannot ignore the Indian army chief’s statements. He said everyone is reminding India of its past humiliations, and in such a situation, it is unlikely that India would consider any confrontation with Pakistan.
Speaking about the expected 28th Constitutional Amendment, Asif said he will not support new provinces, but the provincial share in the NFC will not be reduced.
He said the federal government will ask provinces to contribute to defence spending and debt obligations. He added that legislation on local governments is the need of the hour.
Asif said population control is essential for development.
He also said the bureaucracy holds the most power, and no issue can be resolved until its oversized influence ends.
Asif said the notification for the Chief of Defence Forces will be issued soon, and the responsibilities of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will shift to the new office.
On a question about the trial of former ISI chief Faiz Hameed, he said he has no information about it.
Yesterday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar had taken an important diplomatic position at the United Nations and endorsed United States President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, describing it as a “rare and urgent window for peace.”
He announced Pakistan’s strong support for the 20-point initiative, which aims to halt the ongoing violence and pave the way for a long-term settlement.
Furthermore, Iftikhar, who recently gained prominence for a heated exchange with the Israeli representative during deliberations on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, said Pakistan voted in favor of the plan because it “offers a concrete pathway to ending bloodshed and ensuring the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.”
