Pakistan Defence Minister Says America Exploited Country ‘Like Toilet Paper’ in Explosive Speech

Islamabad: Pakistan's Khawaja Asif has given a very shocking statement in the National Assembly. He said that America used Pakistan for its strategic purposes and then abandoned it like a useless thing that is thrown away after use. This comment especially brought up the controversies related to Afghanistan war and Jihad, and now its impact is on the politics of Pakistan and its relations.

What exactly was his statement?

Khawaja Asif said in Parliament that Pakistan was used by the US “like toilet paper” during the conflict in Afghanistan. He said that America used to extend its support earlier, but as soon as its work was done, it left Pakistan unilaterally.

What did Asif say about Afghan war and jihad?

Asif also said that Afghanistan's war against Russia in the 1980s was promoted as "jihad", but it was not actually a religious war. Pakistan took steps in the American direction, but had to face heavy consequences of that decision.

Did he call the old policies wrong?

He brought the past military and political leadership—notably Generals Ziaul Haq and Pervez Musharraf — to justice. He said that those policies entangled the country in wars and today the price is being paid for it.

Did this statement come after some major incident?

Asif's statement came at a time when dozens of people were killed in a suicide attack on a mosque in the capital Islamabad. Pakistan had also tried to link that attack with elements coming from Afghanistan.

What impact will this statement have on Pak-US relations?

Although US-Pakistan relations have had ups and downs in the past, such strong words can directly increase tension between the two countries. Asif's statement has made it clear that even within Pakistan, serious self-criticism is taking place regarding its past decisions.