Defence Minister urge Afghan authorities to end terror Sanctuaries across border

Defence Minister Urge Afghan authorities to end terror Sanctuaries across border

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has once again called on Afghanistan to take action against militant hideouts operating from its soil, warning that Pakistan will no longer tolerate terror sanctuaries across the border. Speaking in the National Assembly on Thursday, Asif said that Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue with Afghan authorities over the past … Read more

Pakistan-Saudi Defence Pact leaves door open for future allies: Khawaja Asif

Pakistan-Saudi

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that it is premature to talk about the inclusion of any other country in the recently signed defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, but the possibility has not been ruled out. Asif explained that under the agreement, if either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia is attacked from any side, it … Read more

KSA, Pakistan stand united against any aggressor: Saudi Defence Minister

KSA

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, has issued an important statement following the signing of a landmark defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” (SMDA) was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Under the provisions of the pact, any … Read more

Turkish Defence Minister, Air Chief discuss regional security

Turkish

RAWALPINDI: A high-level delegation led by Mr Yaşar Güler, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Turkiye, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force during a visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad. The meeting encompassed discussions on evolving regional security dynamics, progress of ongoing defence cooperation … Read more

India’s request to respond after Khawaja Asif rejected at SCO meeting

SCO meeting

BEIJING:  During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, a request by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to speak after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was denied by the Chinese chair.

In his address, Khawaja Asif presented evidence of Indian interference in Pakistan before member states, highlighting incidents such as the Jaffer Express attack and the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Following Khawaja Asif’s speech, the Indian Defence Minister sought permission from the Chinese host to respond, but his request was turned down, maintaining the forum’s procedural order.

Khawaja Asif has said that Kashmir and Balochistan were mentioned in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization declaration, other countries also supported Pakistan’s position.

The Defence Minister stated that the conference communiqué is issued jointly, and if any member is absent or disagrees, it is not released. He added that nine member countries of the organization had agreed on the joint communiqué, but India refused to sign it.

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Khawaja Asif calls for OIC session to devise strategy against Israel

Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene an emergency session to formulate a unified response to Israel’s continued aggression in the region. Addressing the National Assembly, the minister strongly condemned Israel’s military actions, particularly its recent attacks on Iran, describing them as a grave threat … Read more

Azerbaijani Defence Minister meets Prime Minister

Azerbaijani Defence Minister

ISLAMABAD: On Friday, Vugar Mustafayev, the Minister of Defence Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. The meeting focused on further strengthening and diversifying the relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Both leaders expressed their mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, energy, investment, … Read more

Pakistan Army slams Indian army chief’s false allegations over Kashmir 

Pakistan Army

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army strongly rejected the “irresponsible, spurious and totally false allegations” against Pakistan by the Indian army chief. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) termed the Indian army chief’s comments as an exercise in futility and a classic case of duplicity. Insinuating Pakistan as the epi-center of terrorism by the Indian Army Chief, is … Read more

Khawaja Asif files report with London police about harassment and knife threats

incident of harassment, verbal abuse, and knife threats

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif filed a report with London police on Thursday following an alleged incident of harassment, verbal abuse, and knife threats. The minister reported facing “knife murder threats” and harassment during a train journey. According to Khawaja Asif, the incident occurred on November 11 at approximately 3:30 PM while he was traveling on … Read more

PM Shehbaz reaches UN to attend UNGA inaugural session

PM Shehbaz

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reached the United Nations headquarters to attend the inaugural session of the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday.

The prime minister, along with a high-level delegation, arrived here in New York on Monday evening to attend the annual session of the 193-member UN General Assembly and address multiple other meetings, besides meeting the participating leaders on the sidelines.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi, and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram accompanied the PM.

He will hold an informal interaction with the world leaders at a reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General for the dignitaries participating in the UNGA session.

He is also set to meet with President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu and discuss ways to promote bilateral cooperation.

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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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President confers Nishan i Pakistan award on Saudi Defence Minister

President

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Nishan-i-Pakistan award on Minister for Defence Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, in a Special Investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, military top brass and members of the diplomatic corps.

The award was conferred in recognition of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud’s meritorious services for Pakistan and its people, enhancing defence cooperation, strengthening of bilateral ties and contributions towards peace efforts in the region.

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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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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

Three Peru police generals, others arrested in alleged corruption

peru corruption

Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has been charged with insurrection and conspiracy. Six police officers suspected have been arrested. Former commanders allege Castillo’s government pressured them to elevate unqualified personnel. According to the interior ministry, three police generals and three other individuals were arrested in Peru on Monday for alleged involvement in the corruption investigation … Read more

Flood victims should be compensated without prejudice: Khawaja Asif tells NA

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday assured the government will fulfill its responsibility in the provision of assistance and compensation to flood-affected people. Responding to a point of order on the floor of the National Assembly, the PML-N leader said the flood victims should be compensated timely and without any prejudice. He … Read more

No deadlock on army chief’s appointment, says Defence Minister

army chief

Khawaja Asif said there was no deadlock on the appointment of the new army chief He added consultations with PPP will be held after Nov 18 He said the army has not yet sent shortlisted names for the appointment ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected rumours about a deadlock between allied parties on the … Read more