Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has revealed that he faced political pressure during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. He claimed that he was imprisoned for six months for refusing to denounce former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech in Gujranwala.
Asif stated that the ex-COAS Bajwa father-in-law pressure incident occurred when he was summoned to a private residence. According to him, he was taken to the basement, where he was told to condemn Nawaz Sharif’s speech that had mentioned General Qamar Javed Bajwa and General Faiz Hameed. The defence minister alleged that he was asked to distance himself publicly from the remarks.
He added that when he refused to comply, he was threatened with accountability cases. Rana Tanveer, another senior political figure, was cited as a witness to the meeting. A few days later, Asif said he was arrested and jailed for six months. Despite attempts to frame him, no solid National Accountability Bureau (NAB) case could be built, and the courts eventually ordered his release.
Khawaja Asif described the incident as an example of undue interference in politics. He stressed that despite efforts, the system failed to prove charges against him. His disclosure has added a new dimension to the ongoing debate about political pressure and accountability processes in Pakistan.
Separately, the defence minister also raised questions about past decisions made during the PTI tenure. He criticized the move to settle Taliban elements in Pakistan, calling it a flawed approach. Asif reminded reporters that terrorism remains a global issue and highlighted Pakistan’s role as a front-line state in the fight against militancy.
The minister’s comments are likely to fuel further debate about the relationship between civilian leaders and powerful institutions. His revelations underline the continuing discussion about the balance of power in Pakistan’s political and security framework.
For more related updates, read the complete story on Salman Akram Raja Decides to Step Down as PTI Secretary General.
