Islamabad – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly reacted to remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding Pakistan. Asif called Jaishankar a “nasli dalali” while addressing criticism of Islamabad’s reported diplomatic involvement.
The comments came after Jaishankar stated, “We are not a dalaal (broker) nation,” during an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis. He referred to Pakistan’s alleged role in potential US–Iran talks.
Responding to this, Khawaja Asif questioned India’s diplomatic record. He said Jaishankar comes from a family of diplomats and that “dalali (brokerage) is in their blood.” Asif emphasized that Pakistan’s efforts aim to facilitate dialogue and bring conflicting parties together, which should not be misrepresented.
Khawaja Asif also highlighted India’s previous attempts to position itself as a mediator during the Ukraine–Russia war. He said those efforts did not produce results, and the claims at the time did not match the actual situation on the ground.
Asif further criticized India’s leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior ministers, for failing both diplomatically and militarily in matters concerning Pakistan. He added that the image built around India’s leadership has gradually weakened over time.
Jaishankar had also remarked that there is “nothing new” about Pakistan’s role, claiming the country has been “used” by the United States since 1981. These statements came amid reports that Pakistan may host talks between the United States and Iran, with US President Donald Trump showing support for Islamabad’s potential involvement.
Khawaja Asif reiterated that Pakistan’s role is to serve as a neutral facilitator, aiming to promote peace and constructive dialogue in the region. He stressed that such efforts should not be mischaracterized by external critics.
In other news read more about Pakistan Emerges As Key Player in Crypto Diplomacy Between US And Iran
Analysts say Khawaja Asif’s statements reflect Islamabad’s ongoing commitment to diplomatic engagement and regional stability. The remarks underline Pakistan’s position as a potential mediator in international negotiations.
