Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has openly declared the presence of a hybrid government in the country, while launching a scathing attack on former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, accusing him of political engineering and betrayal of democratic leadership.
In an exclusive interview with 24News during his visit to London, Asif dropped multiple political bombshells.
He claimed that General Bajwa had sought a third extension in office and actively conspired to bring down Nawaz Sharif’s government by orchestrating false cases against him.
“General Bajwa wasn’t neutral; he was the architect of the crisis that removed Nawaz Sharif,” said Asif, pointing to what he described as a deliberate campaign to sideline civilian supremacy.
When asked about his stance on working under Maryam Nawaz, the Defence Minister dismissed any hesitation.
“I have no qualms working under her leadership. She represents continuity and vision,” Asif said, aligning himself firmly with the Sharif camp.
He confirmed holding a meeting with Nawaz Sharif in London, where the political landscape and recent developments were discussed — including Army Chief General Asim Munir’s remarks at the Overseas Convention.
Asif noted that Asim Munir's personality seems strong and added that the current military leadership is operating within constitutional limits.
“The days of overreach might be behind us,” he hinted, while also praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administrative capability.
Asif acknowledged Pakistan's turbulent history of civil-military imbalance. “Political governments have clashed with the military before — it’s part of our unfortunate tradition. But things may be shifting,” he said.