Political circles in Pakistan are abuzz with reports that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is uneasy about the increasing political power of Army Chief Asim Munir. This tension has been exacerbated by Asif’s recent series of three controversial statements. The remarks have created a stir, with his criticism aimed at government officials and leading figures within the PML-N. On Thursday, the situation intensified when Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi called for Khawaja Asif to resign from his position within the National Assembly, due to the ongoing controversial statements. Abbasi suggested that resigning would be a better course of action than making statements against the government. Khawaja Asif, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), has a long history in Pakistani politics. He was made the head of the defense department when Shehbaz Sharif’s government was formed, but now appears to be less involved, with the Army Chief accompanying the Prime Minister on official visits.
Asif’s Controversial Statements:
1. Khawaja Asif held a corrupt system responsible for the flooding. He claimed that Pakistani contractors, in collaboration with the government, had illegally occupied land. He also criticized those blaming India, stating that the nation’s infrastructure was the main issue.
2. Asif also criticized the Pakistani bureaucracy, claiming that officials were embezzling funds to build homes abroad. The National Assembly formed an investigation committee in response. Asif blamed the existing system for preventing the fight against corruption.
3. The Defence Minister also criticized Maryam Nawaz, claiming the provincial governments were ineffective. He also described the floods as a ‘blessing from Allah’ in an interview.