Pakistan Defence Minister Raises Alarm Over LeT and JeM, Calls Them ‘Unguided Missiles’

Islamabad: Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has commented in a podcast about terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. He also described these organisations as a threat to Pakistan and said that such militia groups are not under anyone's control. In this podcast released on September 15, Asif said that Pakistan does not need such organisations and called them 'unguided missiles'. This statement has come at a time when the debate is going on in Pakistan regarding the role of terrorist organisations and militia groups.

What did Khwaja Asif say?

In the podcast, journalist Zahid Gishkori asked Khawaja Asif about Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. In response, Asif said that such organisations take up arms and join different conflicts at different times. He said that sometimes they start fighting America's fight, sometimes their own fight, while sometimes they also work for someone else.

Describing these organisations as 'franchises', Asif also talked about their potential threat to Pakistan. According to him, no one has complete control over such groups.

Why called ‘unguided missile’?

Pakistan's Defence Minister said that such militia groups are like 'unguided missiles' because it is not known in which direction they will go and where they will cause damage. He said that Pakistan's experience of the last 40-50 years proves this.

Asif also said that the activities of these groups affect Pakistan's own security system and military strength. While warning, he also gave the example of Syria and Iraq and said that Pakistan should avoid such a situation.

What is the dispute regarding Lashkar and Jaish?

Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have long been in the news as major organisations associated with terrorism in India and internationally. Both organisations have been accused of being involved in many major terrorist attacks in India. Both organisations are also listed in the terrorism list of the United Nations Security Council. However, from time to time, different claims have been coming forward from Pakistan regarding these organisations and their activities. Asif's latest comment is considered important because it has come from a senior Defence Minister of Pakistan.

Are questions being raised again on militia in Pakistan?

Asif not only talked about Lashkar and Jaish in the podcast but also mentioned various organisations active in Pakistan and their social work. He raised the question as to why some organisations are viewed differently, while other groups are linked to terrorism.

His comments have once again brought into focus the old debate over Pakistan's terrorism policy and the relationship between militia groups and the state. However, it would not be appropriate to project his statement as a new official policy of the entire government or army of Pakistan. This is a statement given by the Defence Minister in a podcast.