Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said Pakistan’s military platforms were fully tested during the war with India and that the country is now receiving such a volume of defence-related orders that it could be in a position to part ways with the International Monetary Fund within six months.
Speaking on a private news channel, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan remains prepared for another conflict with India if aggression is repeated. He said the response during the Pakistan-India war was witnessed by the entire world and claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suffered a loss of credibility both domestically and internationally after the conflict.
The defence minister said Pakistan’s performance in the 2025 war had restored confidence in its military capabilities, adding that the country’s aircraft and defence systems had proven their effectiveness. He claimed the post-war surge in defence-related orders could significantly strengthen Pakistan’s economy and reduce reliance on external financial assistance.
Asif warned that any future Indian aggression would be met with the same response. He said India had approached the United States and China during the conflict and added that New Delhi’s confidence was shattered following the May 2025 war.
He said Pakistan’s armed forces are respected globally and suggested that the country may not require IMF assistance in the future if current trends continue.
Commenting on the regional situation, Khawaja Asif said Afghan Taliban and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are not trustworthy and alleged they maintain links with India. He further claimed that individuals associated with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government provide financial support to the TTP.
The defence minister said the global order is deteriorating, drawing comparisons between conflicts in Ukraine and Venezuela. He said Russia at least presented a justification, whether true or false, for its actions in Ukraine, while the attack on Venezuela lacked any justification.
Asif said an American attack on Iran would pose serious challenges for Pakistan. He questioned whether Israel had misled the United States or whether both were acting in coordination. Referring to past claims, he said Israel had repeatedly alleged that Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons, including statements made in 2012 and at the United Nations in 2018, which he described as attempts to create justification for future military action.
He also made controversial remarks regarding Israel, saying that if the United States truly stood for humanity, it should act against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that regional instability was being fueled by unchecked aggression.
