Pakistan Defence Minister’s Controversial Statement Draws Backlash Amid Rising Indo-Pak Tensions
Khawaja Asif’s Provocative Historical Claim
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stirred controversy with a provocative statement claiming that India was never truly united except during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. His remarks, made during an interview with Pakistan’s Samaa TV, were quickly met with criticism and fact-checking from historians and analysts.
“History shows that India was never one united nation, except briefly under Aurangzeb,” said Asif. “Pakistan was created in the name of Allah. At home, we argue and compete. But in a fight with India, we come together.”
"Chances of war with India are real and I am not denying that": Khawaja Asif, PaK Def Min
— OsintTV 📺 (@OsintTV) October 8, 2025
"History shows that India was never one united nation, except briefly under Aurangzeb. Pakistan was created in the name of Allah. At home we argue and compete. In a fight with India we… pic.twitter.com/e1yAxSTSSx
Fact Check: Was India Only United Under Aurangzeb?
Contrary to Asif’s claim, Indian history reflects multiple periods of political unification, long before and after Aurangzeb:
- Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE) under Emperor Ashoka unified a large portion of the subcontinent.
- Gupta Empire, especially under Samudragupta, brought northern India under one rule.
- Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty also consolidated large territories.
- The Mughal Empire, especially during Akbar’s rule, maintained unity with relative peace and cultural integration — unlike Aurangzeb’s reign, which was marked by revolts and religious intolerance.
Moreover, modern India has functioned as a unified democratic nation since independence in 1947, unlike Pakistan which has seen repeated military coups and political instability.
War Rhetoric: “Chances of War with India Are Real”
Asif further escalated tensions by suggesting a potential war with India, stating:
“I do not want escalation, but the risks are real… If it comes to war, God willing, we will achieve a better result than before.”
These remarks came just days after India issued a stern warning to Pakistan over its continued support for state-sponsored terrorism.
India’s Stern Warning to Pakistan
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently stated:
“Either stop supporting terrorism or get ready to lose geographical presence.”
He emphasized that India is fully prepared to respond with decisive action, unlike previous operations. Referring to Operation Sindoor 1.0, he warned:
“This time, the action will be such that Pakistan will have to think whether it wants to exist geographically.”
Khawaja Asif’s History of Embarrassing Remarks
This isn’t the first time Khawaja Asif has made questionable statements:
- On Floods in Pakistan: He suggested storing floodwater in containers and bizarrely called floods a “blessing.”
- Operation Sindoor Misinformation: During an interview with CNN, Asif falsely claimed Pakistan shot down Indian jets and cited social media as his source. CNN’s Becky Anderson promptly shut down the claim, saying, “We didn’t ask you here to talk about social media content.”
Conclusion: Political Rhetoric vs Ground Realities
Asif’s comments reflect Pakistan’s ongoing attempt to shift narratives amid internal crises and international pressure. However, historical distortion and war threats do little to change geopolitical realities. India remains a sovereign, united democracy, while Pakistan struggles with economic instability, internal strife, and diplomatic isolation.
