Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan made serious mistakes in its past alliance with the United States and is still paying the price for those decisions.
Speaking in the National Assembly of Pakistan, Asif said that many of the country’s past foreign policy choices cannot be reversed. He said Pakistan was used for strategic purposes and later abandoned once those objectives were achieved.
The minister described Pakistan’s involvement in past regional conflicts, especially during the wars in Afghanistan, as historic errors. He said those decisions led to long term consequences, including terrorism, political instability and economic difficulties inside Pakistan.
Asif admitted that Pakistan’s leadership at the time aligned with global powers for geopolitical reasons. He said the country should honestly accept its past rather than deny it. According to him, the rise of extremism and violence within Pakistan is partly the result of those earlier policies.
His remarks have sparked debate across the country. Some political observers see his statement as a rare public acknowledgment of policy failures. Others believe it reflects growing frustration within Pakistan about its past relationship with Washington.
Pakistan and the United States have had a complex relationship for decades. The two countries cooperated closely during the Cold War and after the September 11 attacks. However, relations have often been marked by mistrust and disagreements.
Asif’s comments come at a time when Pakistan is reviewing its foreign policy priorities and trying to strengthen regional stability. His speech signals a deeper reflection within the country about how past decisions continue to shape its present challenges.