Latest news with #Asif
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Trump shows ‘keen interest' in trade ties with Pakistan, says Army after rare White House meeting
ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump has expressed "keen interest" in developing a "mutually beneficial" trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests, the army here said on Thursday. In a statement after a meeting between Trump and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the media wing of the Pakistan Army - said they also discussed joint counterterrorism efforts. During the high-level engagement, the discussions also encompassed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains, including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies, the ISPR said. "President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests," said the statement. In the first formal reaction by the Pakistan government, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday said the meeting between Army Chief Munir and President Trump helped to highlight the Pak-India conflict. In a post on X, Asif said the meeting is a milestone in Pak-US relations because 'this is the first time that a US President has invited and met a Pakistani Army Chief.' Describing the Trump-Munir meeting as 'the most important turning point in the 78-year history of relations', Asif said the development is the success of the 'current hybrid model of governance', involving the elected government and the army. His comments seem to be a departure from the past when political parties demanded non-interference of the army in political affairs.
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
'Imperial whore': Top Pakistani official goes after son of overthrown shah of Iran
Pakistan's defence minister stunned followers on X in the early hours of Tuesday morning, local time, when he shared a clip of a new BBC interview with the son of Iran's ousted shah, Reza Pahlavi, who had been backing Israel's attacks on Iran. "If Iranian people are energised and motivated according to you, show some balls and go back and lead them and remove the regime," Khawaja Asif wrote. "Put your money where your arse is, bloody parasitical imperial whore." Perhaps most surprising of all is that as of 4pm GMT on Tuesday, the post is still up on Asif's account. It also appears to have been edited from its original version, in which "traitor" was used instead of "whore", as one social media user confirmed. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Reactions came in fast. "Khawaja Sahab, I suggest deleting this tweet. In today's ever-changing landscape, you never know who will be in charge tomorrow. It's best to remain as neutral as possible," one Pakistani entrepreneur wrote. "I've always admired your voice - but really… this?" asked another. "Criticism is legitimate. Vulgarity is not," he said. "Personal slurs only weaken the moral ground of any cause." "It seems like we often edit our tweets for a touch of finesse, but it's interesting when someone chooses to go the other way!" another joked. Others criticised the post for the underlying policy position. "If standing with a nation's struggle for freedom makes one an 'imperial whore' in your vocabulary, then your allegiance clearly lies with tyrants, not people. Leadership isn't proven by reckless bravado but by vision, strategy, and legitimacy - all of which your Islamist patrons lack," one Iranian said. "While Iran's Crown Prince speaks of unity, reform, and national revival, Pakistan remains a broken client state of China and the Persian Gulf monarchies, a country where democracy is a farce, women are silenced, and minorities live in fear. Clean your own house before you talk about ours," a supporter of the former shah's son responded. While several people expressed shock at Asif's word choice, many came to his defence: "Sometimes our defence minister makes sense," a Pakistani social media user wrote. "Exactly, sir. It's always easy to demand revolution from the comfort of exile with royal blood but no courage, preaching sacrifice while sipping lattes abroad," another Pakistani added. "If you care so much, lead from the front, not from a Paris penthouse." Asif later doubled down on his remarks. "It is sad that there are people who are worried about linguistic niceties when a genocide is taking place under the watch of 'civilised world', 1000s of children are being butchered non stop," he said. "This is not a sit down dinner where one should mind the language and manners. Pahlavi stands with Netanyahu a genocidal maniac, all he deserves is contempt and nothing else." Who is Reza Pahlavi? Referred to among his supporters as a "king in exile", Reza Pahlavi, 64, is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the toppled and since deceased shah of Iran during the 1977-1979 popular uprising, which subsequently formed the Islamic Republic as we now know it. As a staunch defender of a US-backed monarchy that he hopes to bring back to Iran, he has made several visits to Israel, taken photographs with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and cast himself as the only viable leader of a modern Iran if the Islamic Republic collapses. "Since the initial strike [by Israel on Iran], there's been tremendous amount of activity, especially on behalf of the people who are in the streets and are obviously quite - I don't know what's the proper word to use here - re-energised in the sense that this is maybe an opportunity now, seeing the regime being so weak," Pahlavi told the BBC on Sunday in the clip that Asif referenced. "There's a new wave of hope and energy," he added. "The world needs to realise that the root cause of the problem has been the regime and its nature, and the only solution, ultimately, that will benefit both the Iranian people as well as the free world is for this regime to no longer be there." On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump openly threatened Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on his TruthSocial account after Netanyahu, just one day earlier, suggested that assassinating Khamenei would "end" the conflict. " We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump said. Critics of Iran's government with family ties in the country have told Middle East Eye that Israel's bombings have unified Iranians, and that any movement for structural change must be domestic and organic, rather than imposed by foreign actors. How is Pakistan involved? Islamabad has long been a proponent of Palestinian rights, a position in direct contrast to its next-door neighbour, India, which boasts of longstanding economic and military ties with Israel. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described Friday's attacks by Tel Aviv on Tehran as 'unjustified'. He said Pakistan, which does not recognise Israel, 'stands in solidarity with the Government & the people of Iran'. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that Israeli strikes were 'a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond'. But it's not just about Pakistan's stance on Israel. Pakistani journalist Ahmed Quraishi, responding to Asif's insults on X, said it was "disappointing language", given the former shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, "used to spend weekends in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, maintained friendships with Pakistani elites, and opened Iranian airspace, bases, and munition depots for Pakistani military, and placed Tehran's diplomacy and goodwill at Islamabad's service." Relations between Pakistan and Iran deteriorated after the 1979 revolution. The Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan that year prompted resistance by rival groups backed by Pakistan or Iran, which heightened tensions. How the son of Iran's last shah became a pro-Israel stooge Read More » For the next decade, Saudi Arabia and the US sent funding through Pakistan to support Afghan mujahideen groups fighting the Soviet occupation. In turn, Iran recruited Shia Afghans to fight in the Iran-Iraq War. The differing Muslim sects of the two nations also grew to cause friction, with Shia Islam now guiding political decision-making in Tehran, and Sunni Islam taking on a larger public-facing role in Pakistan's military rule at the time. Iran's attempt to export its Shia revolution to Pakistan during the 1980s was met with resistance from the then-military regime of Zia ul-Haq, who initiated his own Islamisation campaign, Middle East Eye's Zia Ur Rehman explained. Iran had also come under sanctions from Washington and was seen as the only major regional rival by Riyadh. During the 1990s, Saudi-funded Sunni and Iranian-funded Shia armed groups in Pakistan clashed, leading to a period of violent sectarianism. Even today, targeted faith-based killings continue. Last year, Pakistan and Iran even briefly exchanged air strikes on Balochistan, a region that straddles the border between the two countries, containing separatists on both sides. But in the face of Israeli attacks, Islamabad ultimately sees itself as a necessary defender of the Muslim world, given that it is the only Muslim-majority nuclear-armed country. Pakistan and Iran also share a history of working together in several regional conflicts and diplomatic spats. Approximately 20 percent of Pakistan's 230 million population are Shia Muslims, and according to several polls, Pakistanis generally view their neighbour positively.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Netizens grill Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif over claim of ‘hacking floodlights' during IPL match
Pakistan's defence minister, Khawaja Asif, has made yet another bizarre claim, this time, he has said that Islamabad's "cyber warriors" switched off floodlights at a cricket stadium in India during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Asif, while speaking in the Pakistani assembly, claimed, "India does not understand that all of this is entirely Pakistan's indigenous technology. Our cyber warriors shut off the lights in India and got an IPL match suspended, opened dam these cyber attacks were done by our kids only." Asif was likely referring to the May 8 IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala. The match was called off during the 11th over of the first innings as three floodlight towers went off, causing a blackout in the stadium. The "significant technical failure" caused the match to be cancelled, and the stadium to be evacuated as a safety protocol. Netizens on social media trolled the Pakistani defence minister, grilling him with comments and posts on X. One of the user wrote, "Just so you know -- IPL floodlights don't run on WiFi, they run on secure electrical systems. You can't hack them like a home router." "I didn't know Cyber has different concepts and syllabus in Pakistan!" another quipped. An X user wrote sarcastically, "If switching off lights is a cyber triumph, then my 3 year old nephew is a global threat he once unplugged the Wi-Fi during a Zoom meeting." "First pay your due electricity bill online," another said. Earlier as well, Asif had gotten himself trolled with his remarks related to Operation Sindoor. During a TV interview, Asif had claimed that Pakistan shot down five Indian fighter planes. But when the anchor asked him to provide proof for the claim, Asif responded, "It's all over social media." The anchor, surprised by Asif's response, said, "The reason to talk to you today, sir, is not to talk about content all over social media. I'm asking you very specifically for the evidence, for the detail." However, Asif failed to substantially back his claim.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'We hacked the floodlights': Pakistan's Defence Minister makes another bizarre claim, says match disruption was a cyber strike
Minister doubles down, mentions dams and grids Online reaction: From sarcasm to science lessons Live Events A pattern of bold claims Stadium Incident: What really happened? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a fresh twist to growing tensions between India and Pakistan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Pakistan's National Assembly that his country's 'cyber warriors' had shut down floodlights during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Dharamsala. 'India does not understand that all of this is entirely Pakistan's indigenous technology. Our cyber warriors launched attacks on India, shut off lights in a cricket stadium in India – lights went out and the IPL match was stopped, water was released from Indian dams, their electricity grid was shut down,' Asif incident he likely referred to was the May 8 IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. The game was abandoned after 10.1 overs due to a sudden power outage in the area. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later confirmed the disruption was due to a "significant technical failure" and issued an apology to fans who had gathered at the didn't stop at cricket. In the same breath, he suggested that Pakistan's cyber operatives had also accessed Indian dam systems and disrupted power grids. 'The IPL was stopped and the lights of the stadium were turned off, waters in the dams were released, all these cyber attacks were done by our children,' he said. His tone was confident. The content, less video clip of his comments lasted just 29 seconds but triggered a wave of criticism and ridicule online. Many questioned how realistic the claims were, especially given the official technical explanation behind the match internet didn't hold back. One user commented, 'Just so you know – IPL floodlights don't run on WiFi, they run on secure electrical systems. You can't hack them like a home router.' Another added, 'If switching off lights is a cyber triumph, then my 3-year-old nephew is a global threat. He once unplugged the Wi-Fi during a Zoom meeting.'Others used satire to underline the implausibility. 'Even China and the USA are asking – How did Pakistanis do this magic?' one user wrote. Another joked, 'Next time, try hacking the scoreboard—at least it has buttons.'The most pointed comment of all read: 'Pakistan should first pay their due electricity bill online.'This isn't the first time Asif has made headlines with unverified statements. After India launched Operation Sindoor on the night of May 6 and 7—a precision airstrike against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack—Mr Asif claimed that Pakistan's air force had shot down five Indian fighter asked to produce proof on live television, the anchor asked him directly, 'Where is the evidence?' Asif replied, 'It's all over social media.' The visibly surprised anchor responded, 'You are the Defence Minister. The reason to talk to you today, Sir, is not to talk about content all over social media. I am asking you very specifically for the evidence.'He did not provide BCCI, in its official note following the Dharamsala match cancellation, stated clearly that a power issue had impacted the floodlights. There was no mention of a cyber breach. However, local reports had earlier suggested that the lights dimmed due to precautionary measures after air raid alerts were issued in nearby areas. The blackout in the hill town was described as part of a broader security protocol amid tensions on the India-Pakistan Indian agency has since corroborated any cyber attack or infrastructure breach on May Khawaja Asif's claims have added drama to an already tense regional situation, they also highlight how misinformation—or exaggerated nationalistic posturing—can spread rapidly and undermine credibility. The seriousness of cyber warfare should not be diluted by unsupported public statements. Nor should matters of public safety and national security be reduced to political viewers in India and observers worldwide, this episode offers a reminder: always look for the source, the facts, and the official version—especially when the lights go out in the middle of a match.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel-Iran war update: Pakistan to nuke Israel? Top Iranian commander unveils shocking plan
A senior Iranian military official has revealed that Pakistan might launch a nuclear attack on Israel if Israel uses nuclear weapons first amid the ongoing attacks between Israel and Iran, as per a report. Iranian Commander's Shocking Nuclear Warning During an interview on Iranian state television, Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) general and Iranian National Security Council member revealed that, "Pakistan has told us that if Israel uses nuclear missiles, we will also attack it with nuclear weapons," quoted Turkiye Today report. Rezaei also highlighted that Iran has secret tactics and capabilities, as per the report. Pakistan Urges Unity, But Denies Nuclear Threats While, Pakistan has taken a position to "stand behind Iran" and also urged for Muslim unity against Israel after attacks on Iran, no official statement has been issued by any Pakistani official about the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Israel, reported Turkiye Today. However, Pakistani Defense Minister Khwaja Asif has issued a statement on his social media platform X (previously Twitter) on Sunday, saying, "Pakistan is signatory to all international nuclear disciplines; our nuclear capability is for the benefit of our people and the defense of our country against the hostile designs of our enemies. We do not pursue hegemonic policies against our neighbors, which are being amply demonstrated by Israel these days," as quoted in the report. He pointed out that, "Western world must worry about conflicts being generated by Israel; it will engulf the whole region and beyond. Their patronage of Israel, a rogue state, can have catastrophic consequences," quoted Turkiye Today. Live Events While, during a speech at the National Assembly on Saturday, Asif emphasized that Muslim nations should show unity against Israel as he said, "Israel has targeted Iran, Yemen, and Palestine. If Muslim nations don't unite now, each will face the same fate," as quoted in the report. The Pakistani Defense Minister called on the Muslim countries, which have diplomatic ties with Israel, to cut ties immediately and asserted that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should convene to formulate a joint strategy, reported Turkiye Today. Asif also reassured that Pakistan has deep ties with Iran and Islamabad stands by Tehran amid the conflict, saying, "We stand behind Iran and will support them at every international forum to protect their interest," as quoted in the report. War Between Israel and Iran Intensifies Pakistan's support to Iran comes as Israel conducted airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran on Friday, including military and nuclear facilities, which also led Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes, according to the report. FAQs Did Pakistan really threaten to nuke Israel? Not officially. A senior Iranian official claimed so, but Pakistan hasn't confirmed any such threat. Why would Pakistan get involved in this conflict? Pakistan has strong ties with Iran and is voicing support, but mainly through diplomatic and moral support so far.
