Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday urged educated and skilled young people to contribute to Pakistan’s development, saying they had a vital role to play in shaping the country’s future.
Addressing the annual convocation of the University of Central Punjab in Sialkot, Khawaja Asif congratulated the graduating students and stressed the importance of education and professional skills in advancing national progress.
The minister said Pakistan had secured a prominent position internationally, particularly following what he described as its victory in Marka-e-Haq, which he claimed had significantly strengthened the country’s diplomatic standing.
Referring to Pakistan’s military confrontation with India, he said relying on foreign military bases could not guarantee national security.
“Overseas bases established by foreign powers cannot protect you. Such bases are created to serve vested interests, while real security comes from your own strength,” he said.
Khawaja Asif claimed that Pakistan had attained an international standing unprecedented in its 78-year history.
He said Pakistan had defeated an adversary five times its size during Marka-e-Haq, adding that while the outcomes of previous wars had remained open to interpretation, Indian leaders had themselves acknowledged defeat following the latest confrontation.The defence minister also claimed that US President Donald Trump had referred to India’s defeat on 11 occasions and repeatedly mentioned the downing of Indian aircraft.
Praising Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s leadership, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan continued to make progress despite having confronted terrorism for several decades.
Highlighting Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement, he said Pakistan was playing an important role in efforts to secure a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
He added that Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives had also helped ease tensions between Iran and Arab countries, expressing hope that the country’s efforts to promote international peace would succeed.Reflecting on his political career, the minister said he had served the country for 36 years and had faced imprisonment on several occasions.
He recalled spending seven months in jail during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government, alleging that those responsible for his arrest had failed to establish the charges against him.
The minister said he generally refrained from discussing politics at educational institutions despite being a politician.
He also expressed gratitude to the people of Sialkot, saying the city had accorded him considerable respect since the beginning of his political career.
Criticising the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Khawaja Asif alleged that accountability institutions often arrested individuals before determining the charges or preparing cases against them.
He regretted that such practices had remained a recurring feature of Pakistan’s political history over the past 78 years.
