From Dawn · News Desk | Iftikhar A. Khan · · 2m
Defence Minister Says No Defence Pact in Tehran Huddle
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif denies Pakistan’s involvement in Iran’s defence pact talks, calling JUI-F’s remarks 'misplaced'.
In brief
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif denies Pakistan’s involvement in Iran’s defence pact talks, calling JUI-F’s remarks 'misplaced'. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif states Pakistan’s participation in Tehran huddle was not defence-related, rejecting JUI-F’s claims of a defence pact. Originally reported by Dawn.
Tehran Huddle Meeting
Federal ministers responded to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s remarks about a recent Tehran meeting involving Makkah Defence Pact countries and Iran.
Defence Minister’s Response
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated the meeting was not related to defence, so his presence was not required.
Interior Minister’s Clarification
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi explained his participation in the Tehran meeting was to handle the ongoing crisis in Iran.
JUI-F’s Criticism
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned why Defence Minister Asif and Interior Minister Naqvi were at the Tehran meeting.
Defence Pact Claim
Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed a defence pact was taking shape in Iran and the defence minister was sitting in Pakistan.
Asif’s Defence
Defence Minister Asif said no defence pact was taking shape in Tehran and the meeting was not Pakistan’s defence mandate.
CDF’s Role
Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir assumed a role for Pakistan to promote peace and dialogue after the India military conflict.
Two Defence Pacts
Pakistan has signed two defence pacts: the Makkah Defence Pact and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding.
Peace Efforts
The CDF proposed the Tehran meeting to pave the ground for peace efforts, avoiding a confrontation over Yemen.
Asif’s Advice
Defence Minister Asif advised JUI-F to be the bigger person and called their criticism 'misplaced'.
Senate Response
Interior Minister Naqvi defended his participation in the Tehran meeting to handle the Iran crisis.
Naqvi’s Clarification
Naqvi stated he was tasked by the prime minister to handle the current crisis in Iran, not to attend a defence meeting.
JUI-F’s Criticism
JUI-F senator Kamran Murtaza accused the government of staging a 'programme to sling mud' at Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Murtaza’s Claim
Murtaza claimed the government sent messages to people to criticize Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Asif’s Past Criticism
Defence Minister Asif accused Fazlur Rehman of having a 'past full of contradictions' and violating his own principles.
Electoral Reforms
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas claimed KP was 'snatched from the people' and rigging in 2024 elections occurred.
What matters most
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif states Pakistan’s participation in Tehran huddle was not defence-related, rejecting JUI-F’s claims of a defence pact.
