By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Defence minister Khawaja Asif has accused Israel of orchestrating a wider “Zionist agenda” through the conflict with Iran, saying its true aim is to extend Israeli influence as far as Pakistan’s borders and surround the nuclear-armed nation with hostile forces.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Asif described the war imposed on Iran – despite Tehran’s readiness for a diplomatic agreement – as part of a conspiracy that would ultimately create a single coordinated front involving Afghanistan, Iran and India against Pakistan. The result, he warned, would be insecure borders, encirclement by enemies on all sides, and the risk of Pakistan being reduced to a vassal state.
The Middle East conflict entered its fourth day with no end in sight. Israel has carried out airstrikes on Iran while Tehran has fired missiles and drones at US interests and bases across the Gulf states. During the fighting a number of senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “embraced martyrdom” in what Iranian officials described as unprovoked and unwarranted attacks by Israel and the United States.
Iranian officials warned that Khamenei’s death marked a turning point. The Revolutionary Guard vowed retaliation, declaring that “this great crime will not go unpunished”.
Asif, addressing Pakistan’s 250 million citizens, said it was essential that people of all political and religious affiliations recognise the “intentions of our eternal enemies”. He called Zionism “a threat to humanity”, arguing that from the establishment of Israel on Palestinian land to the present day, every catastrophe and every war inflicted on the Islamic world bore the direct or indirect imprint of Zionist ideology and the Israeli state. “Zionism has controlled the world’s economic system for a century,” he said. “Major powers are held hostage by Zionism.”
The minister paid tribute to Pakistan’s military strength and its status as a nuclear power, crediting the country’s “martyrs and ghazis” and invoking divine assistance. He singled out former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for particular praise, saying his courage in ordering nuclear tests had shown the world that Pakistan was a nuclear-armed state whose armed forces were respected globally.
Asif insisted that Pakistan’s defences remained “impregnable” and its security in safe hands. “While our defensive capabilities and resolve are time-tested and unquestionable, it’s important to remember that Pakistan has always maintained balanced and constructive relations with all countries based on mutual respect and reciprocity with zero hegemonic designs,” he said. “We are a confident and assured nation of 250 million people seeking stability, growth, and prosperity for our people: undoubtedly our security is in good hands and have Alhamdolillah impregnable defences.”
He warned, however, that the current hostilities against Iran formed part of a broader strategy. “Despite Iran’s readiness for agreement, a war has been imposed upon them, and its agenda, orchestrated by the Zionists, includes bringing Israel’s influence right up to Pakistan’s border,” he said. “The joint single-point agenda of Afghanistan, Iran, and India will then be enmity towards Pakistan, making our borders insecure, surrounding us with enemies from all sides, and turning Pakistan into a vassal state.”
Asif urged unity across the Islamic world and called for the recognition of common enemies. He expressed hope for the freedom of Palestine and prayed that Pakistan would remain strong and safe “until the Day of Judgment”. He asked for divine protection over those who defend the country’s soil, describing them as the nation’s ultimate guardians.
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