Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called on all Muslim countries to unite against Israel, warning that failure to do so would eventually lead to every Muslim nation becoming a target.
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Asif highlighted the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel. “Last night, Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting military installations and martyring senior military leaders,” he said. “In this war, Israel is not acting alone.”
Asif emphasized the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Iran, declaring full solidarity with the neighboring country. “Iran is our brother; we share their pain and grief. Pakistan will protect Iranian interests in every possible way,” he asserted.
He noted that Israel has been aggressively targeting multiple Muslim nations including Iran, Yemen, and Palestine, and urged the Muslim world to recognize the urgent need for unity. “If the Muslim world does not unite now and remains silent, the time will come when each of us will be targeted,” he warned.
Calling for an immediate summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Asif demanded a joint Muslim strategy to counter Israeli aggression. He expressed disappointment at the inaction of Islamic countries while Palestinian children are being martyred. “Strong voices against Israel are rising around the world, even from non-Muslim citizens in the West, while Muslim leadership remains silent,” he lamented.
Reaffirming Pakistan's longstanding position on Israel, Asif stated, “We have neither recognized Israel nor established any relations with it. Some Pakistanis visited Israel in recent years, but I will not delve into how and with whose support.”
The defence minister further said that Muslim countries with diplomatic ties to Israel should reconsider their stance. “Israel’s hands are stained with Muslim blood. These ties must be severed,” he said, urging the Islamic world to formulate a collective strategy against Israel.
On regional security, Asif reiterated Pakistan's military strength, citing the response to Indian aggression. “India paid a heavy price for its misadventure. Our forces, backed by the resolve of the people, defeated an enemy five times larger than us,” he said.
He also accused banned outfits such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of acting as Indian proxies. “Those supporting BLA are traitors to the nation,” Asif declared.
