ISLAMABAD – August 15, 2025:
Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi now sees Pakistan and its military forces “even in his dreams.”
In an interview with a private news channel, Asif dismissed the notion that Pakistan engages in nuclear blackmail, stressing that the country’s nuclear arsenal exists solely for defensive purposes. “Our nuclear capability is a shield for national security. We do not threaten or blackmail anyone; it is the guarantee of our defense,” he stated.
The minister said that the idea of war with Pakistan has become a nightmare for Modi, accusing the Indian leader of making provocative statements merely to please his voters. “Pakistan fought India in self-defense — and won,” he added.
According to Asif, a different kind of battle is already unfolding within India itself, with growing public dissent against Modi. He pointed out that members of the opposition, including Congress leaders and citizens from smaller states, are openly criticizing the prime minister’s policies.
“By making such remarks, Modi is trying to divert attention from the political storm in his own country,” Asif remarked. “The truth is, Pakistan has nothing to do with India’s internal crisis. Our nuclear assets are for self-defense, and no one should feel threatened by them.”
The defense minister further claimed that India’s political and economic standing — once stronger just a year or so ago — has weakened under Modi’s leadership. “Modi’s failures are an opportunity for his opponents, and they are capitalizing on it to strengthen their own political positions,” he said.
Asif accused the Modi government of harming India’s reputation both at home and abroad. He alleged that India has backed acts of terrorism, including incidents in Canada and Pakistan, leaving it with what he described as a “permanent stain” of terrorism on its image. He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Taliban operating in Pakistan are being supported by India — a claim Islamabad intends to raise at international forums.
“If India chooses to live as a good neighbor, peace is possible in the subcontinent, and the people here can enjoy economic progress,” Asif concluded.
