He claimed that when terrorists are killed in security operations, it later emerges that their names were already included in missing persons lists. According to him, families of these individuals continue to receive allowances under this narrative.
The defence minister alleged that terrorist networks are now using women and children as tools of violence. He said that in recent attacks, women were used at two different locations, a move he described as both cruel and calculated. ‘These elements want to drag Pakistan back into economic darkness,’ he warned.
Khawaja Asif stated that confessions from arrested suspects have revealed foreign involvement in terrorist activities. He accused India of backing terrorism in Pakistan and described the BLA as a foreign-funded terrorist organization with footprints beyond Pakistan’s borders.
Referring to recent incidents, he said attacks were carried out in Quetta’s Sariab Road area, the FC headquarters in Dalbandin, and in Noshki. In total, twelve locations were targeted. He added that terrorists fled after leaving behind several bodies, while security forces continue operations in the affected areas.
The defence minister urged India and Afghanistan to stop using proxy groups such as the BLA and TTP, saying Pakistan has been fighting this war for a long time and will see it through to the end. ‘We are determined to wipe out terrorism completely,’ he said.
He further alleged that many so-called missing persons are living comfortably in cities like Dubai and Muscat. Highlighting a recent case in Karachi, he said a young female suicide bomber was arrested and confessed that she had been mentally conditioned for the attack.
Khawaja Asif also criticized political silence on terrorism, warning that failure to condemn such acts indirectly helps extremist forces. He appreciated the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for condemning recent attacks and stressed that terrorism has affected every province equally.
‘Terrorism does not choose provinces,” he said. “Our children, our daughters, from all regions, are sacrificing their lives.’
He called on all political parties to rise above narrow political interests and place love for the country above everything else, emphasizing that unity is the nation’s strongest weapon against terrorism.
