Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif: ‘US Used Us Like Toilet Paper-We’ve Paid Dearly for Their War’
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued one of his most pointed critiques of U.S. foreign policy, alleging that Islamabad has been manipulated for American strategic interests and discarded like “worse than toilet paper.” Speaking in Parliament, Asif reflected on Pakistan’s renewed partnership with Washington after 1999, particularly concerning Afghanistan, asserting that it has inflicted lasting repercussions on the nation. He labeled this alignment as a grave miscalculation whose fallout continues to affect Pakistan decades later.
In a bold challenge to the long-standing official narrative, Asif rejected the notion that Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghan conflict was motivated by religious duty. He acknowledged that many Pakistanis were mobilized under the banner of jihad, describing this framing as both misleading and destructive. Furthermore, Asif highlighted the significant ideological impact on the country, noting that the educational system was reshaped to justify these military engagements and that many of those ideological shifts still resonate in contemporary society.
Asif stated that the anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan during the 1980s was primarily driven by American geopolitical ambitions rather than any authentic religious conviction, arguing that the situation did not warrant a declaration of jihad. He maintained that Pakistan’s participation in foreign conflicts has led to enduring instability and social damage that have yet to be fully resolved.
The defence minister also elaborated on the consequences of aligning with the U.S. after 1999, especially in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. He censured former military leaders Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf for embroiling Pakistan in external wars, leaving the nation to bear the repercussions long after its allies have moved on. Asif employed stark language to convey the plight of Pakistan, asserting that the country has been utilized for a purpose and subsequently cast aside.
During this introspective discussion, he recounted how Pakistan turned against the Taliban to back the U.S.-led war on terror, only for Washington to later withdraw, leaving Pakistan entrenched in violence, radicalization, and economic distress. “The losses we suffered can never be compensated,” Asif conveyed, characterizing these decisions as irreversible mistakes that reduced Pakistan to a pawn in conflicts orchestrated by others.
The Defence Minister’s statements evoke a broader conversation regarding Pakistan’s historical role within international conflicts and the long-term consequences of foreign alliances. His admissions challenge existing narratives while inviting further scrutiny of the geopolitical dynamics at play. As Pakistan navigates this complex landscape, Asif’s candid assessment raises pressing questions about the future of its foreign relationships and national resilience in the face of past miscalculations.
Published By: Karishma Saurabh Kalita
Published On: Feb 11, 2026
Original Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-defence-minister-khwaja-asif-claims-us-toilet-paper-paid-price-for-their-war-2866338-2026-02-11
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Publish Date: 2026-02-11 07:07:00
