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Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has delivered one of the strongest public criticisms yet of the country’s past relationship with the United States, saying Pakistan was used for strategic purposes and later abandoned once it was no longer needed.

Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Asif openly reflected on Islamabad’s foreign policy decisions over the past several decades, particularly its involvement in the Afghan conflicts. He described those decisions as serious strategic miscalculations that continue to impact Pakistan’s security and stability today.

In unusually blunt language, the minister said Pakistan was treated as a disposable partner — used to achieve geopolitical goals and then sidelined. His remarks have triggered debate within political circles and among international observers about the long-term consequences of Pakistan’s alignment with Washington.

Reassessment of Past Alliances

Asif pointed specifically to the period following the 9/11 attacks, when Pakistan joined the United States in the so-called War on Terror. At that time, Islamabad provided logistical support, intelligence cooperation, and strategic backing to US-led operations in Afghanistan.

However, according to the defence minister, the aftermath of that partnership left Pakistan facing internal turmoil, increased militancy, economic challenges, and social divisions. He suggested that while global powers eventually moved on, Pakistan remained burdened with the fallout.

The minister also questioned earlier policies during the anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan in the 1980s, when Pakistan played a key role in supporting resistance forces. He indicated that decisions made during those years reshaped the country’s internal dynamics in ways that are still being felt.

Criticism of Past Leadership

During his speech, Asif implied that previous governments and military leaders made foreign policy choices that did not fully prioritize Pakistan’s long-term national interests. He argued that those decisions placed the country at the center of conflicts driven by larger powers.

He further suggested that narratives used in the past to justify participation in regional conflicts contributed to ideological and societal shifts inside Pakistan. The consequences, he said, are not easily reversible.

Political and Diplomatic Impact

The remarks have sparked mixed reactions. Some analysts see the comments as a rare moment of public self-reflection from a senior official. Others believe the strong wording could complicate diplomatic relations with Washington at a time when regional stability remains fragile.

Pakistan and the United States have historically shared a complex relationship marked by both cooperation and mistrust. From Cold War alliances to counter-terrorism efforts, the partnership has experienced periods of close coordination as well as tension.

While it remains unclear whether the defence minister’s comments signal a broader shift in foreign policy, they have reopened debate about how Pakistan should position itself in an evolving global landscape.

A Turning Point?

Observers say the speech reflects growing introspection within Pakistan about its past strategic choices and their long-term costs. Whether this leads to a fundamental policy recalibration or remains a political statement will depend on future diplomatic actions.

For now, Khawaja Asif’s remarks stand out as one of the clearest acknowledgments from a sitting minister that past alliances may have come at a significant price.

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