Defence Minister Warns Tel Aviv Operates Outside International Oversight
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a strong warning to the international community, urging immediate attention to what he called the “unrestrained and dangerous” nuclear posture of Israel. He emphasized that Israel remains outside all global nuclear regulatory frameworks, posing a serious risk to regional and global peace.
In a strongly worded statement, Asif said:
“Israel is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), nor is it bound by any international nuclear discipline. The world should be wary and apprehensive of Israel’s nuclear arsenal.”
He criticized Israel for refusing to submit to international oversight while continuing to act with impunity in the region.
“The Western world must recognise the destabilizing impact of Israel’s actions. The conflict it is fueling could engulf the entire Middle East—and potentially extend far beyond.”
Asif contrasted Israel’s stance with Pakistan’s nuclear policy, which he described as responsible, restrained, and solely for national defence.
“Pakistan is a signatory to key international nuclear agreements. Our nuclear programme is meant for deterrence, and we follow all international norms to ensure its peaceful and secure application,” he said.
Rejecting accusations of hegemonic intent, Asif said Pakistan’s approach is fundamentally different from that of Israel.
“We do not pursue aggressive policies against our neighbours. Our doctrine is based on minimum credible deterrence and guided by principles of responsibility.”
He also condemned Western countries for continuing to support what he described as a “rogue state.”
“The blind patronage of Israel could have catastrophic consequences for the region. It is time the world wakes up to the magnitude of this threat.”
As tensions escalate across the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, concerns are mounting over the potential for a broader conflict. Israel has never officially confirmed its possession of nuclear weapons, but independent experts estimate it holds a stockpile of 80 to 90 warheads. Unlike Iran and other states, Israel is not a party to the IAEA’s Additional Protocol or the NPT, meaning its nuclear facilities remain outside international inspection regimes.
The defence minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and nuclear responsibility, urging the global community to act decisively before the situation spirals further out of control.
