Asif criticises arrest-first politics
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticised political victimisation, telling reporters in Sialkot on Saturday that civilian governments often arrest people first and only afterwards decide what charges to file. “Civilian governments, when they want to arrest someone, first arrest them and then think about what charge to bring,” he said.
The comments come amid strained ties between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PTI has accused the federal government of political victimisation over the imprisonment of party founder Imran Khan and other leaders. The opposition has also objected to emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa imposed on October 11, which left the PTI-led provincial setup unable to function. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several cabinet members were later held in preventive custody. PTI called the detentions politically driven; the federal government said the steps were needed to tackle the province’s security situation and terrorism.
Personal detentions and political career
Recalling his own record, Asif said he had been imprisoned four times, including at Attock Fort during former military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s era. He said he spent six months in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)—Pakistan’s main anti-graft body—during the PTI government’s tenure in 2020, and that those who held him could not clearly explain the charges. He said he repeatedly asked NAB officials what allegations he faced, and argued that political victimisation does not serve the country.
Asif said he entered politics in 1991 and has served for 36 years through many ups and downs. He sometimes feels tired, he added, but remains committed to Sialkot, which he called his identity, and to the welfare of its people.
He also referred to a recent exchange with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying he had urged him in the National Assembly to revisit his political narrative. The minister said he met Fazlur Rehman in the Assembly two days earlier and felt the JUI-F leader still had the energy to stay active in politics.
Diplomacy, defence and youth
On foreign affairs, Asif said Pakistan is playing a historic mediating role in efforts to ease the Iran–US conflict and differences between Iran and its Arab neighbours. He said those diplomatic efforts continue under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and that the country has gained international standing of which citizens can be proud. He said he represented Pakistan at defence agreements signed in Makkah and Doha.
Pakistan, he argued, has shown the Islamic world that overseas military bases do not necessarily secure host countries, and that such facilities mainly serve the powers that run them and are meant to protect Israel. He also said Pakistan defeated an adversary five times its size in the latest conflict with India, and that—unlike earlier wars with unclear outcomes—India and its military had acknowledged the result this time. He praised the armed forces’ long fight against terrorism and their sacrifices.
Young people, he said, are a valuable national asset, and educated, skilled youth can drive development. Education has improved over time, he noted, but politicians often avoid the education ministry because they see little political gain in it.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 1991: Khawaja Asif enters politics; he says he has now served for 36 years.
- 2020: Asif spends six months in NAB custody during the PTI government’s tenure, saying charges were never clearly explained to him.
- October 11: Emergency and governor’s rule are imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving the PTI-led provincial government non-functional; Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several cabinet members are later taken into preventive custody.
- Two days before Saturday’s remarks: Asif meets Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the National Assembly and urges him to revisit his political narrative.
- Saturday: Speaking to reporters in Sialkot, Asif criticises political victimisation and discusses diplomacy, defence and youth.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif ne Sialkot mein kaha ke aksar hukumatain pehle giraftari karti hain, baad mein charge sochti hain. Unhon ne apni chaar qaidain aur 2020 mein NAB ki chheh mahine ki hirasat ka zikr kiya. Yeh baat us waqt aa rahi hai jab KP mein emergency ke baad siyasi tanao barha hua hai. Aam logon ke liye yeh sawal uthata hai ke qanoon sab ke liye barabar lagoo hota hai ya nahi.
