Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently claimed that the X account of former leader Imran Khan was “being operated from India”. The assertion was contradicted days later as the top official vehemently insisted during a recent interview that Khan was operating the handle “from a jail cell”. The Pakistani lawmaker also cited “intelligence sources” to back up his claim while refusing to provide any additional details.
The remarks were made during a wide-ranging interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan — with Asif stating that Khan was “operating a Twitter account from the jail cell”. The politician appeared somewhat flustered as the scribe recounted his previous allegations and asked the reporter – “What is the truth then?”.
“Either he is operating from the cell or he should at least identify who is operating the jail cell…The evidence (for the India claim)…well, I cannot publicly disclose the evidence,” Asif said upon cross-questioning.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been lodged in Adiala Jail since August 2023. He has faced multiple legal cases — including corruption and terrorism-related charges — since his ouster from the top role in April 2022. Khan has repeatedly alleged that the many charges against him are politically motivated and the trial is military-led rather than civilian.
Khwaja Asif admit to ‘Hybrid Model’ of Pak governance
Asif also championed the “hybrid model” of governance within the country — insisting that the Army and civilian leadership was running Pakistan together. He also told Hasan that the US Democracy was a “deep state” and tried to brush away claims of military might in governance.
The journalist had asked Asif where the power lay in Pakistan — wondering whether the defence minister actually answered to the head of the army.
When confronted with the example of how in the US, Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, has the power to fire American generals, but the same cannot be said for Pakistan, Asif sourly retorted, saying, “They (US) have a different model over here. It’s called deep state.”
On Hasan further saying, “In your country (Pakistan) the deep state’s in charge. That’s what the accusation is”, Asif put the blame on past leadership, stating, “You can say that because of our military rulers-it is more visible…”
On being further probed as to where the power lies in Pakistan, Asif retorted by calling it “hybrid”.
China top ally for Pakistan
A day after US President Donald Trump hosted the Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Pak Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has said that China is not worried about Pakistan “flirting” with the US, noting that the two countries have a time-tested partnership.
(With inputs from agencies)