ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the United States favors leaders in Pakistan who would be willing to dismantle the country’s nuclear arsenal.
Speaking on the Hum News program Faisla Aap Ka on Monday, Asif stated, “In today’s global environment, if you do not strengthen your defence, you remain at risk. Therefore, our missile programs and nuclear assets have always been targets, and the US would prefer leaders who would de-nuclearise Pakistan or dismantle its missile programs.”
While Asif has previously raised concerns about threats to Pakistan’s nuclear assets, he has not provided concrete evidence to back his assertions.
During the interview, he also criticized jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, calling him a “proxy” for pro-Israel supporters—a statement that has drawn attention from political analysts. He accused Khan’s supporters of inconsistency, pointing out that those who once strongly opposed US influence are now seemingly aligning with American interests. “Why should I blame the US when we have individuals in our own country who once said ‘absolutely not’ to America but are now saying ‘absolutely yes’—even attaching conditions to that ‘yes’?” he remarked.
Asif alleged that PTI supporters had shifted their stance on the US, criticizing American policies publicly while privately hoping for US support to regain power. He also pointed to the involvement of PTI supporters in the US elections as evidence of this shift.
On regional matters, Asif clarified that Pakistan harbors no aggressive intentions but stressed the need for strong defence capabilities given regional instability and tense relations with India.
He also criticized the local governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, for neglecting pressing issues in areas like Parachinar and focusing instead on targeting Islamabad. “Local governance should be the priority,” Asif added.
