Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Islamabad airport to be ready for outsourcing by mid-May: Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif clarifies no plan to impose governor rule in KP

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said  that Islamabad International Airport will be ready for outsourcing by mid-May.

Federal Minister Khawaja Asif said in a statement on social media that the government’s goal is to outsource the airports of Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.  He said Islamabad International Airport will be ready for outsourcing by mid-May.

Later, Lahore and Karachi airports will also be prepared for outsourcing.

He said that PIA will soon get clearance from the European Union(EU) and the United Kingdom(UK), and work on the matter is going on vigorously.

Reiterating his commitment to making the country accessible by overcoming the difficulties of the visa policy, the Defence Minister wrote that he is fully aware of the problems and will overcome them soon.

It should be noted that the high-level delegation of Saudi Arabia along with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in which the Saudi delegation discussed investment issues in various sectors in Pakistan under the Special Investment Facilitation Council(SIFC).

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Country’s economy to run on investment and not on loans: Khawaja Asif

Country's economy to run on investment and not on loans: Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asi said that economy will run on investments. He comended Saudi Arabia for kind gesture. PM Sharif has also talked with UAE and Qatar. Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the country’s economy will not run on loans but on investments. Asif, while speaking to the media after performing the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer … Read more

Asif urges implementation of global laws to stop terrorists’ infiltration into Pakistan

Asif urges implementation of global laws to stop terrorists’ infiltration into Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif emphasized the imperative implementation of international laws along the borders to prevent the infiltration of terrorist elements into Pakistan, particularly from Afghanistan, amidst a recent surge in terrorism within the country. Asif, in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), underscored the need for fundamental alterations to … Read more

President administers oath to 19-member federal cabinet  

President

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s 19-member federal cabinet took oath.

The swearing-in ceremony of federal ministers is going on in the President’s House, in which President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif are also present.

President Asif Ali Zardari is taking oath from the federal cabinet.

Those who took oath include Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Shaza Fatima Khawaja , Mohsin Naqvi, Ameer Mukam, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Rana Tanveer Hussain and Jam Kamal Khan are among those who took oath.

Apart from this, Owais Ahmed Leghari, Attaullah Tarar, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Musadik  Masood Malik, Muhammad Aurangzeb , Mohsin Raza Naqvi Ahad Khan Cheema  and Azam Nazir Tarar are also among those who took the oath.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called the first meeting of the federal cabinet this evening.

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PM Shehbaz completes consultation for federal cabinet

federal cabinet

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has completed consultation with his close associates for the formation of the federal cabinet.

According to the sources, Muhammad Aurangzeb is likely to be made the Finance Minister, while Khawaja Asif is likely to be made the Defence Minister and Ishaq Dar is likely to be made the Foreign Minister.

Sources said that Ahsan Iqbal is likely to be given the portfolio of the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Privatization, while Atta Tarar is likely to get the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Sources said that Rana Sanaullah is likely to be made Special Assistant on Interior Affairs while Shamshad Akhtar can be made Special Assistant on Finance.

According to the sources, Amir Maqam is likely to be entrusted with the Ministry of Water Resources and Musadik Malik with the portfolio of Petroleum and Energy.

Sources say that Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Mustafa Kamal is likely to be made the Minister of Science and Technology, while Faisal Sabzwari is likely to be given the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Farooq Sattar to get the Federal Ministry of Overseas.

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Rehana Dar challenges Khawaja Asif’s win in NA-71

Rehana Dar win

Rehana Dar, an independent candidate from NA-71, challenged the victory of Muslim League (N) leader Khawaja Asif in the court. Usman Dar’s mother Rehana Dar has challenged the Form 45 result in the Lahore High Court (LHC). In the petition filed by Rehana Dar, it has been argued that Khawaja Asif declared himself the winner … Read more

Khawaja Asif sends defamation notice to Usman Dar, his mother 

damages
  • A legal notice sent to Usman Dar for damages of Rs one billion.
  • PML-N also sent notice to Usman Dar’s mother Rehana Dar.
  • The legal notice demanded payment of damages within 14 days.

SIALKOT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former federal minister Khawaja Asif sent defamation notice to Usman Dar and his mother on the allegations.

On behalf of Khawaja Asif, a legal notice has been sent to Usman Dar for damages of Rs one billion.

The Muslim League leader has also sent a notice of one rupee to Usman Dar’s mother Rehana Dar.

The legal notice has demanded payment of damages within 14 days.

It should be noted that a few days ago Usman Dar’s mother had alleged that Khawaja Asif had sent 20 people to her house who had beaten her up.

Usman Dar had also alleged that the police entered his house without an arrest warrant and blamed Khawaja Asif for being involved in the attack on his house on May 9.

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Khawaja Asif criticizes Imran Khan for appointing Barrister Gohar as PTI chairman

Khawaja Asif criticizes Imran Khan for appointing Barrister Gohar as PTI chairman

  SAILKOT: Senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khawaja Asif criticized Imran Khan for appointing Barrister Gohar as the new chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), mocking the decision as Khan’s selection of Asif Ali Zardari’s “protégé” for the role. Asif’s comments came after the intra-party election on Saturday, prompted by the Election … Read more

Khawaja Asif assures Nawaz Sharif to contest upcoming election

Nawaz Sharif election

Khawaja Asif responded to questions by confirming that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif will indeed participate in the upcoming election. Asif, in a discussion with journalists, emphasized that all political parties have been granted an equal opportunity in the electoral field, actually known as the level playing field. Khawaja intended to address concerns raised by the … Read more

Asif confirms finalization of five names for caretaker PM

caretaker PM

Raja Riaz expected to meet PM Shehbaz on Wednesday. Asif says elections should take place prior to 90 days. Clarified that he was not offered the position of caretaker PM. According to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have reached a mutual decision to appoint … Read more

Khawaja Asif dismisses speculations on Ishaq Dar being appointed Caretaker PM

Caretaker PM

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has dismissed speculations that Ishaq Dar is being appointed as the caretaker prime minister. Speaking to a private channel, the PML-N leader said there are only rumours on the name of the caretaker prime minister and no decision has been taken yet. He said that the interim setup will … Read more

Govt not finalize name of Caretaker PM yet: Khawaja Asif

Caretaker PM
  • He said retired bureaucrat or politician may be named as PM.
  • He said assemblies will be dissolved before their scheduled time.
  • Defence Minister PML-N workers waiting for Nawaz Sharif to return.

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that a retired bureaucrat or a senior politician may be named as caretaker prime minister, but the names have not been finalized yet.

Khawaja Asif said in one of his statements that the assemblies will be dissolved one or two days before their scheduled time. He said “If we get even one and a half months, then Nawaz Sharif will run an election campaign.”

He said that the PML-N workers have been waiting for three and a half years for Nawaz Sharif to return.

He said it is necessary to compensate and correct the injustice done with Nawaz Sharif. He said it is necessary for him to return to his homeland before the election.

Regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, Khawaja Asif said “If the IMF program was not found, there was a fear of economic disaster.” The Prime Minister risked everything for the IMF program.

On the other hand, consultation is going on among the PDM leaders for caretaker prime minister and initially various names are being considered for this post.

The current National Assembly is completing its five-year constitutional term next month, after which a caretaker prime minister will be appointed and general elections will be held in 60 days.

There was a difference of opinion regarding the election in the coalition parties of the government. People’s Party timely election while Maulana Fazal ur Rehman wanted one year extension in the existing assemblies.

According to government sources, after the completion of the constitutional term of the current assembly, the responsibility will be handed over to the caretaker government.

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National Assembly to dissolve in August: Khawaja Asif

Assembly dissolve

Says PTI chairman will have to pay the price for May 9 mayhem. Said seat adjustments with the PDM would be made after the assembly’s dissolution. Said preparations for the elections have already begun. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif stated that the assemblies would dissolve in August after completing their tenure, and … Read more

IMF funds would have stopped if assembly dissolved earlier: Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif

SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the preparation for general elections has commenced and the distribution of tickets will start soon. While addressing a worker’s convention in Sialkot, the PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said that assemblies will be dissolved after completing their tenure after one month. The federal minister said the distribution of tickets … Read more

Tajik Defence Minister Meets Khawaja Asif

Tajik Defence Minister

Tajik Defence Minister meets Khawaja Asif. Asif expresses best wishes for military and civil leadership of Tajikistan. Tajik Defence Minister assured his government’s commitment and pledged to work with Pakistan. ISLAMABAD: Tajikistan Defence Minister, Sherali Mirzo along a delegation called on Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif and discussed bilateral defence cooperation the other day. Khawaja … Read more

Cabinet allows to declassify Toshakhana record: Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif

This record will be posted on website of Cabinet Division District court has summoned Imran in Toshakhana case Imran Khan’s lawyer had pleaded that his client could not appear ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Thursday said the federal cabinet had given the permission to declassify the record of Toshakhana, Bol News reported. … Read more

Pakistan mustn’t be used for terrorism: Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif said terrorism is alarming in Pakistan He slammed Imran Khan for not appearing in courts He also said Pakistan must not be used for terror activities ISLAMABAD: Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif said that the territory of Pakistan must not be used for any terror activity adding that soaring terrorism is alarming for … Read more

US ambassador discusses defence ties with Khawaja Asif

US ambassador

US Ambassador Donald Blome called on Defence Minister Khawaja Asif They stressed the need for further diversifying Pak-US defence relations The minister suggested an enhanced defence cooperation framework ISLAMABAD: United States Ambassador Donald Blome called on Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues. The defence minister expounded the … Read more

NSC to decide on launching anti-terror operation: Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif urged political forces to unite against the hostile elements He said internal differences pose serious threats to the country He said NSC would decide about action against terrorist organizations ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif urged all political forces to unite against the hostile elements just like the one reached for operation Zarb-e-Azb … Read more

Khawaja Asif rebuffs rumours of Imran Khan’s arrest

Najam Sethi

Khawaja Asif rebuffed rumours of Imran Khan arrest He said Imran Khan is scared of arrest Meanwhile, Azam Swati challenged to arrest Imran Khan ISLAMABAD: The Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif said Thursday that the government has no plan to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan. He was exclusively talking to BOL News when … Read more

Senator Azam Swati challenges Khawaja Asif to arrest Imran Khan

Senator Azam Swati
  • Azam Swati said that the economy has destroyed.
  • He condemned the arrest of PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry.
  • Senator further said that the ECP made a nonsense case.

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) Senator Azam Swati challenged Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to arrest Imran Khan if he can.

PTI leader Azam Swati, while talking to the media in Lahore, said that the economy has destroyed in the country, morality has ended, but the people of Pakistan have woken up.

He said that “I went through such hardships, but they do not have moral courage, the fascist government will be separated from the government so humiliatingly.”

The PTI leader said that he condemns the arrest of PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, the way he was arrested, is a matter of shame for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Senator Azam Swati further said that the Election Commission made a nonsense case, and the respect of adults has also disappeared in this government.

A few days ago, Senator Azam Swati while talking to the media in Lahore said that the only solution for the country at this time is the election, all the institutions of the country are ending, and he ask the judiciary institutions to resign.

He said that there was a murderous attack on the former prime minister of the country, Arshad Sharif was martyred, and there was no justice. He said Azam Swati is not afraid of death, there is no justice in your courts.

Azam Swati said that the house of parliament has also been damaged, and Mohsin Naqvi is being made caretaker chief minister.

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PML-N decides to fight legal and political battle with PTI: Khawaja Asif

Najam Sethi
  • Khawaja Asif while addressing the Workers’ Convention in Sialkot.
  • He said nowadays political war is being fought on social media.
  • The PML-N will approach the court for legal battle after consultation.

SIALKOT: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has to win the political war with honor and dignity.

Khawaja Asif while addressing the Workers’ Convention in Sialkot said “I congratulate the entire nation on the birthday of Quaid-i-Azam and wish the Christian community a Merry Christmas.”

He said that earlier political war was fought through personal contacts but nowadays political war is being fought on social media.

Khawaja Asif further said, “ We should not fight the political war at their level, we have to win the political war with honor and dignity, we should use political language on social media.”

It should be remembered that Muslim League-N had decided to fight a legal and political battle.

The party leader has assigned the task to the team of senior lawyers of PML-N to fight the legal battle.

According to the sources, eight senior leaders of PML-N have been given the task to raise the matter on the political front, Azam Nazir Tarar, Amjad Parvez, Irfan Qadir, and Atta Tarar and other senior lawyers will look into the court cases.

In light of the recommendations of the lawyers, the court will be approached, and the final decision to approach the court will be taken by the top leadership of the PML-N.

 

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Khawaja Asif visits CMH Rawalpindi

Khawaja Asif
  • Defence Minister  met the injured officers and soldiers at CMH.
  • He inquired about well-being of officers and soldiers.
  • He also lauded their professionalism of Pakistan Army.

RAWALPINDI: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday visited soldiers injured in an operation in Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Defence Minister Khawaja Asif met the injured officers and soldiers at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif inquired about their well-being and appreciated their high spirit and morale. He also lauded their professionalism and bravery soldier during the operation against terrorists.

 

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Defence Minister proposes 8 am to 4 pm timing for offices

Defence Minister
  • CM Murad Ali Shah met with Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif.
  • Khawaja Asif said energy can be saved if the sunlight is used more.
  • Murad Ali Shah proposed to close the restaurants at 10 pm.

KARACHI: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday said that the office time should be from 8 am to 4 pm under the emergency conservation plan.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah met with Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif and Federal Minister for Industries Makhdoom Murtaza Mehmood along with the federal delegation.

Speaking in the meeting, Federal Minister Khawaja Asif said that energy can be saved “If the sunlight is used more in the country, energy conservation is very important for the improvement of the current economic conditions.”

On the other hand, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah while speaking at the meeting said that there is a need to talk to the organizations of marriage halls and markets. He proposed to close the restaurants at 10 pm, but for that also talk to the association of restaurants.

He said that the Prime Minister should start talking to the stakeholders at his level and added that he will talk to the businessmen.

Murad Ali Shah further said that this is our country and all have to work together to come out of the economic crisis.
Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik has said “We have to reduce the petrol import bill which is increasing day by day.”

 

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Federal Govt announces to close markets and restaurants at 8 pm

Federal Govt
  • Khawaja Asif said marriage halls should be closed at 10 pm.
  • Defence Minister said that 61 percent of the country’s water is used for agriculture.
  • He said country markets open at noon and we don’t make the most of the daylight.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Government has announced to close of markets and restaurants at 8 pm to under an energy conservation plan.

Federal Defence Khawaja Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Minister of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Qamar Zaman Kaira while holding a news conference in Islamabad said that marriage halls should be closed at 10 pm while markets and restaurants will be closed at 8 pm.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that 20 percent of the workforce in government offices has been proposed to work from home, while this process will save 56 billion rupees annually.

He said that the measures will save a lot in terms of fuel, and will inform the four provinces on various issues in two days.

Khawaja Asif said that 61 percent of the country’s water is used for agriculture. He said in the morning country markets open at noon as nation we don’t make the most of the daylight.

He said that the country is currently suffering from serious economic problems. He said, “If we want to live within our means, then we have to spread our feet by looking at the chador.”

The defense minister said that Pakistan is the only country where markets are open till late at night and it is a long story that will be known in the coming days.

He said that he will discuss the policy with all the provinces tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. The Prime Minister has confirmed the statement of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto. The Foreign Minister has expressed the sentiments of the entire nation in his statement against India.

 

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Upshot of no-confidence motion will be out in a few days: Khawaja Asif

Federal Govt ready

Khawaja Asif said result of no-confidence will be out in days He slammed Imran Khan for speaking ill of Gen. Bajwa The coalition has been trying to fix the scars of previous government ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister of Pakistan Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that the upshot of the no-confidence motion will surface in two to three … Read more

Khawaja Asif says Afghanistan apologised over firing in Chaman

Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif said Afghanistan welcomed visit of Hina Rabbani Khar. The Afghan side accepted their mistake, he said. They assured that such an incident would not occur again, he added. ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said Afghanistan had apologized over its security forces’ unprovoked firing in Chaman which resulted in the martyrdom of … Read more

Imran Khan must face transparent probe for selling Toshakhana gift: Asif

Security forces

Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Wednesday said that the former prime minister must face a transparent probe for selling the Toshakhana gift of an expensive wrist watch gifted by the royal highness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Addressing a live media talk here, the Defence Minister said his news conference intended to … Read more