The diplomatic controversy arose after Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi traveled to Iran for security discussions with Saudi, Turkish, and Iranian counterparts. Addressing parliament on Thursday, Khawaja Asif dismissed speculation regarding a military pact and maintained the talks did not concern national defence matters. He further stated that Munir’s diplomatic efforts are aimed at peace following last year's military conflict with India. A joint statement following the summit confirmed that the four participating nations pledged to sustain their regional dialogue.
Key points
Khawaja Asif rejected accusations that Pakistan participated in negotiations concerning a…: Khawaja Asif rejected accusations that Pakistan participated in negotiations concerning a regional defence pact during the Tehran meetings.
The defence minister stated that Field Marshal Asim Munir is actively pursuing diplomatic…: The defence minister stated that Field Marshal Asim Munir is actively pursuing diplomatic dialogue to preserve peace following last year's conflict with India.
Delegates from Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye released a joint statement agree…: Delegates from Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye released a joint statement agreeing to continue multilateral security talks.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Pakistan defence minister
Khawaja Asif was mocked in Pakistan's National Assembly after Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman took a jibe at him over Field Marshal Asim Munir’s participation in a high-level regional security meeting in Iran, questioning why the defence minister was absent from the talks.
According to a report by Dawn, Fazl raised the issue during his address to the National Assembly on Wednesday, referring to a meeting in Tehran attended by Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, alongside senior officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
“A defence pact is taking shape in Iran, a meeting is under way (there), and the defence minister is sitting here,” Fazl said, drawing laughter and desk-thumping in the House. Pointing to Naqvi’s presence at the meeting, he asked: “The interior minister is required there as well?”
Fazl then turned Asif’s own words against him, repeating a phrase the defence minister had previously used to taunt Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“There is your respect and stature — koi sharam hoti hai, koi haya hoti hai (have some shame, show some modesty),”…
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