2 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:50 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:58 UTC
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif responded in the National Assembly to criticism by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who questioned why Asif was absent from a regional security meeting in Tehran attended by Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Rehman mocked Asif with the phrase 'koi sharam hoti hai, koi haya hoti hai', referencing Asif's past remarks, and asked why the defence minister was not present if a defence pact was being discussed. Asif denied that a defence pact was under negotiation in Tehran and stated the meeting did not fall under his ministry's mandate. He said Munir's role focused on peace and dialogue following last year's military conflict with India.
The Tehran meeting included Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian. It was held under the framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Participants agreed to continue dialogue to strengthen regional cooperation on peace and security.
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