Latest news with #KhawajaAsif
First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Pakistan Defence Minister's Truth Bomb: Satire or Hypocrisy? Vantage with Palki Sharma
Pakistan Defence Minister's Truth Bomb: Satire or Hypocrisy? | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Pakistan Defence Minister's Truth Bomb: Satire or Hypocrisy? | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Khawaja Asif saying something outrageous. This time, Pakistan's Defence Minister has set his sights on the U.S. military-industrial complex — accusing Washington of profiting from war. But is this a moment of clarity or classic misdirection? Khawaja Asif's anti-America monologue lands awkwardly, especially when you factor in the billions in U.S. aid to Pakistan. So, is it hypocrisy, satire or political theatre? Palki Sharma tells you. See More
India.com
5 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Pakistan as China decides to hold direct talks with Munir's enemy for....
Bad news for Pakistan as China decides to hold direct talks with Munir's enemy for.... CPEC project: Not all is well between Pakistan and China. In order to save the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, China has decided to start direct talks with Baloch rebels bypassing the Pakistani army to secure and speed up progress on the stalled CPEC. This new stance of China has been stated in clear words by China during the recent visit of Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif to Beijing. China is taking this step because CPEC is being constantly attacked by Baloch rebels, due to which major projects like Gwadar port and Reko Diq mining project have almost come to a standstill. Apart from this, China is also upset with the growing interest of US in the mineral resources of Balochistan. China has invested more than $ 60 billion in the CPEC project, but Baloch rebels continue to attack Chinese employees and Chinese projects. Many Chinese engineers have been killed by Baloch rebels. Therefore, China now wants to sit across the Balochs at the negotiating table. According to reports, China is also trying to send a positive message to the rest of the countries associated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has been struggling for more than a decade and now believes that the real protectors of Balochistan are the Balochi people. This attitude of China shows that it should now talk on its own instead of relying on the Pakistan Army after many reports suggest that the Asim Muni's Army has lost control over most areas of Balochistan and the CPEC project is in serious danger. What are Balochs' thinking However, the Baloch groups are deeply suspicious of this proposal of China. In 2019 also, such secret talks were held in Dubai which failed. There are deep differences among the Baloch groups regarding direct talks with China. The Balochs demand autonomy for Balochistan and Balochistan's share in the earnings from CPEC. It is estimated that mineral resources worth about $ 6 trillion may be hidden in Balochistan, which include important elements like copper, gold and lithium. These minerals are very important for China's green technology and electric vehicle industry. Direct talks with Baloch groups will help China ensure the security of its supply chain, as well as enable long-term exploitation of these minerals while avoiding administrative hurdles.
News18
7 days ago
- Business
- News18
Beijing Snubs Islamabad, Seeks Direct Talks With Baloch Groups To Secure CPEC
Reported By : Edited By: Last Updated: May 28, 2025, 17:04 IST Projects like Gwadar Port and the Reko Diq mining initiative have made little progress, and Beijing is now under pressure to move forward.(Reuters/File) CNN-News18 has learnt from top intelligence sources that China is now pushing for direct engagement with Baloch groups, bypassing the Pakistan Army, to secure its investments in Balochistan and accelerate progress on the stalled China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This intent was formally conveyed to Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during his recent Beijing visit. China's desire stems from continued threats to CPEC, despite investments of over $60 billion, as Baloch insurgents repeatedly target key infrastructure. Projects like Gwadar Port and the Reko Diq mining initiative have made little progress, and Beijing is now under pressure to move forward — especially as the US has shown interest in Balochistan's vast mineral reserves. Sources confirm that China wants to talk directly to the Baloch to speed up the process and signal positively to other Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partners. China has struggled for over a decade and now believes that the real custodian of Balochistan is the Balochi people. It recognises that relying solely on the Pakistan Army has resulted in body bags and broken promises. Chinese officials argue that direct negotiations will reduce insurgent attacks, protect their personnel, and help ensure that mineral extraction can proceed uninterrupted. They believe this shift could ease the Pakistan Army's security burden, recast China's role from aggressor to stabiliser, and further strengthen China-Pakistan relations. However, Baloch distrust runs deep, especially after the 2019 secret talks in Dubai collapsed over transparency issues. While some factions are open to dialogue, others remain sceptical of China's intentions. The groups are divided on key demands — including autonomy, revenue-sharing, and an end to military operations. Before any formal negotiations, China will have to engage with each group separately and work towards consolidating a common position, a process that will be complex and politically sensitive. The stakes are high. Balochistan holds an estimated $6 trillion in untapped minerals — including copper, gold, and lithium — critical for China's green-tech ambitions. Direct engagement would bypass bureaucratic delays, ensure long-term supply chain security, and let China collect all mineral wealth with reduced risk. China is also reportedly interested in establishing police posts along CPEC routes, a proposal the Baloch people have firmly resisted. This kind of engagement is not seen as beneficial to anyone except China, as the Baloch risk losing their sovereignty, and Pakistan could lose control over the region. Swipe Left For Next Video View all Adding to the tension is the fact that China receives 91 per cent of the revenue generated by Gwadar port, leaving only a marginal share for local communities. This imbalance has deepened resentment among the Baloch, who see themselves as being excluded from the economic benefits of projects on their own land. As a result, Baloch groups continue to demand greater autonomy, a just share in resource distribution, and an end to military operations and human rights abuses in the region. This development is a potential blow to Pakistan's military and government, who now face mounting pressure to address longstanding issues. With Beijing charting its own course, the future of Balochistan — and Pakistan's role in it — hangs in the balance. News world Beijing Snubs Islamabad, Seeks Direct Talks With Baloch Groups To Secure CPEC | Exclusive
India.com
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
How much did 87-hour long India-Pakistan conflict cost? Know how much each country spent on weapons, and what losses they incurred
(File/Representational) India-Pakistan war: India and Pakistan negotiated a ceasefire on the late May 10 afternoon after both sides peppered each other's territories with advanced missiles and drones for nearly 87 hours after tensions escalated following Indian armed forces carrying out precision strikes on terror targets deep inside the enemy country under Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. But wars cost money, and irrespective of losses, both countries spent a tremendous amount on weapons such as drones, loitering munitions, airstrikes, heavy artillery, and missiles. Let us find out how much was spent by each country and what losses they suffered in the brief yet intense India-Pakistan war: What losses did Pakistan suffer during the India-Pakistan war? The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which was at the frontlines in the conflict with India, suffered losses worth Rs 4,500 crore during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, including losing four F-16 Block 52 fighter jets, which amounts to around $350 million, according to a report by think tank Chakra Dialogues Foundation (CDF), The report also claimed that Pakistan also lost a SAAB Erieye AWACS aircraft worth around $35 million, apart from losing two Shaheen class missiles worth $8 million each, which were reportedly destroyed in Indian strikes. The CDF report further claimed that Pakistan also lost an IL-78 refueling tanker worth $35 million, and Indian strikes also neutralized Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UCAV drones, each costing around $6 million. As per the report, India's surface-to-air missile defence system shot down two Pakistani F-16 fighter jets, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) delivered precision missile strikes on the Sargodha airbase, with the damage caused being pegged at around $100 million, The report claimed that Indian attacks inflicted damage worth Rs 29000 crore (around $3.4 billion) on Pakistani military infrastructure during Operation Sindoor. How much losses did India incur? India's losses were significantly lower than Pakistan, primarily because of its powerful air defense systems, the Russian-made S-400 'Triumf', and the indigenously-built Akash missile system, which neutralized missiles and drones coming from Pakistan, including a Fatah missile fired towards Delhi. While Pakistan has claimed to have downed Indian fighter jets, including the Rafales, Islamabad has not presented any credible proof for its claims, with the country's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif saying to look for 'proof on Indian social media', when asked to present evidence. However, India did 15 BrahMos missiles at Pakistani military sites, each one reportedly striking its intended target. But each one of these missiles costs Rs 34 crore to make, so Indian armed forces spent Rs 510 crore by firing BrahMos missiles on Pakistan, but the damage caused to Pakistani military infrastructure was exponentially larger.
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First Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'America generates war': Pakistan's Khawaja Asif accuses US of making profit from conflicts
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused the United States of generating war and making a profit out of the conflict amid tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad read more Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stirred yet another storm after he accused the United States of fulling between India and Pakistan to make profits. The video that is going viral online, shows Asif blaming United States, of prolonging tensions between the two nuclear powers on the Indian subcontinent. The viral statement has also provoked intense debate and criticism worldwide. In the clip the Pakistani defence minister alleged that US has been at the centre of several international conflicts in the past century. Asif remarks were seems to be coming in defence of China's ardent support to Islamabad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, alleges that the United States incites conflicts between nations to profit from arms sales. — Sajid Yousuf Shah (@TheSkandar) May 25, 2025 'In the last 100 years, Americans have generated wars. They have fought 260 wars, while China has only engaged in three,' the Pakistani politician maintained. 'Yet, the US keeps earning money. Their military industry is a massive, well-established sector and forms a major part of their GDP. That's why they continue to create conflicts," he added. The tensions between India and Pakistan reached an all-time high following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in Kashmir. New Delhi found that Pakistani nationals were involved in the attack and later launched Operation Sindoor . In the span of three days, the military escalations between India and Pakistan left the world in shock. Both nations eventually came to an understanding of a ceasefire. Asif throws the US under the bus This is not the first time Asif has thrown Washington, DC, under the bus. In an interview with Sky News, days after the Pahalgam terror attack, Asif admitted that Pakistan supported and fostered terror groups, claiming that the country was doing 'the US's dirty work '. While Asif attempted to dodge questions about Pakistan's long history of fostering terrorism, the Pakistani defence minister dug himself a hole when he blurted out that the cash-strapped nation is doing the 'dirty work' for the West. 'Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States and West, including Britain, for 3 decades," Asif said when asked how the country supported and backed terrorist organisations in the past. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, he quickly backtracked on his assertion, insisting that supporting such groups was a mistake. 'That was a mistake, and we are suffering from that,' he added, referencing the terror attacks that broke out on its soil. The US plays from both sides: Asif In the video, Asif referred to countries like Syria, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Libya, stating that these nations were once prosperous but have now been devastated because of prolonged wars. 'These countries were once wealthy. Now they are bankrupt,' he stated, indicating that American involvement contributed to their fall. The defence minister insisted that the US plays from both sides in the war and maintains the profitability of its military-industrial complex. He described the American defence sector as an economic machine that 'thrives on chaos and instability. The remarks from Asif garnered backlash online, with many pointing out Pakistan's military aid and buying US defence equipment. 'When Pakistan needed help, it went running to hold America's feet, and now that the ceasefire has happened, it's back to blaming America," one user commented. 'Says the defence minister of a nation whose entire military doctrine depends on a foreign country," another user wrote.
