# 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'. - Title: Defence Minister Says No Defence Pact in Tehran Huddle · Dawn - Summary: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif denies Pakistan’s involvement in Iran’s defence pact talks, calling JUI-F’s remarks 'misplaced'. - Keywords: defence ministry, jui-f, maulana fazlur rehman, khyber pakhtunkhwa, makkah defence pact, badr memorandum of understanding, senate, national assembly, pml-n, pti, musharraf government, kashmir committee - Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2040695/not-defence-ministrys-mandate-asif-responds-to-fazls-remarks-about-his-absence-at-tehran-huddle - Author: News Desk | Iftikhar A. Khan - Published: 2026-10-29T08:27:57+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: defence ministry, jui-f, maulana fazlur rehman, khyber pakhtunkhwa, makkah defence pact, badr memorandum of understanding, senate, national assembly, pml-n, pti, musharraf government, kashmir committee ## Tehran Huddle Meeting Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi responded to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s remarks about their absence at a Tehran meeting. ## JUI-F Questions Ministerial Presence Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned why Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was absent and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was present at the Tehran huddle. ## Tehran Meeting Participants The meeting included Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. ## Iranian Delegates Iranian officials present included President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. ## Tehran Huddle Agreement The huddle agreed to continue dialogue to bolster cooperation among the four regional nations, including in regional peace and security. ## Fazl’s NA Remarks Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed a defence pact was taking shape in Iran and questioned why Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was absent. ## Fazl’s Criticism of Ministers Fazl criticized Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for lacking respect and suggested he show some modesty. > _koi sharam hoti hai, koi haya hoti hai_ (have some shame, show some modesty) ## Defence Minister’s Response Defence Minister Khawaja Asif denied any defence pact was taking shape in Tehran and stated the meeting was not related to Pakistan’s defence. ## CDF’s Role in Huddle Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir assumed a role for Pakistan following last year’s military conflict with India. ## Two Defence Pacts Signed Pakistan has signed two defence pacts, the Makkah defence pact and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding. ## Defence Ministry’s Mandate Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated the meeting in Tehran was not the defence ministry’s mandate. ## CDF’s Peace Role The CDF had gone to Tehran as a messenger of peace to pave the ground for the huddle. ## Naqvi’s Senate Response Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi clarified his participation in the Tehran meeting was to handle the ongoing crisis in Iran. ## Naqvi’s Defence of Participation Naqvi stated he was tasked by the prime minister to handle the crisis in Iran, not to participate in defence discussions. > _sahib ## Naqvi’s Criticism of JUI-F Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused JUI-F of using Islam for business and politics. ## JUI-F’s Response to Naqvi JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza accused the government of staging a 'programme to sling mud' at Maulana Fazlur Rehman. ## Fazl’s Past Contradictions Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused Fazl of past contradictions, including mediating with Kabul for political gain. ## Fazl’s Political History Maulana Fazlur Rehman served in the Musharraf government, was an opposition leader, and chaired the Kashmir Committee. ## Asif’s Advice to Fazl Defence Minister Khawaja Asif advised Fazl to work hard and not envy others. > _Mehnat kar, hasad na kar_ (work hard and don’t envy) ## Fazl’s Address Criticized Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described Fazl’s address as 'blackmail' and warned against power based on compromises. ## Key takeaway Defence Minister Khawaja Asif states Pakistan’s participation in Tehran huddle was not defence-related, rejecting JUI-F’s claims of a defence pact.