Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s Defence Minister, reiterated Friday that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is strictly kept for defensive use and not aggressive aims. His statement comes amid rising regional tensions and recent discussions regarding nuclear posturing across South Asia.
Reiterating Defensive Doctrines
Asif stressed to media that Pakistan’s nuclear and missile capabilities were designed solely for national security. Our nuclear capability is for the benefit of our people and defense of our country from hostile designs of our enemies,” he stated via X (formerly Twitter), following viral misinformation suggesting otherwise. He made these remarks shortly before dawn.
He further elaborated that Pakistan operates under a doctrine of minimum credible deterrence, emphasizing its aim of deterring threats rather than provoke them, rather than creating them through military force or other methods. For more on this subject, refer to Wikipedia if your existence is threatened.
Asif stated during an earlier Reuters interview that Pakistan will only consider using nuclear weapons if faced with an imminent threat to its existence. He further reinforced this position, asserting that proactive use is currently off the table unless absolutely necessary (Sources: New York Post +7; Reuters +7 and Dawn+7 and/or NY Post+7 = “off”).
Rising Regional Tensions In this Context of Rising Regional Tensions,
Asif’s comments coincided with rising tensions with India, highlighted by drone strikes, cross-border skirmishes, and sharp rhetoric. Separately, Pakistan’s air force chief accused India of downing six Pakistani aircraft during recent clashes; claims which Asif dismissed as unsubstantiated and dangerous in a time of instability (Reuters +3; New York Post +3)
Indian media reported increased alertness and exercises near the border; India denied that its nuclear posture has altered. Amid such tensions, Asif’s emphasis on defensive deterrence attempts to strike a balance.
Assuring Domestic and International Audiences
Asif’s message to Pakistanis was two-pronged: to provide domestic comfort while also signalling stability on an international scale. By emphasizing restraint, he undercut narratives suggesting Pakistan may adopt a first strike posture – an issue made all the more urgent by misinformation (like an AI-generated video falsely alleging Pakistan pledged retaliation against Iran) spreading rapidly online, leading to unnecessary alarm and sparking misperceptions about nuclear retaliation for Iran vowed by Iranian officials themselves.
Broader Nuclear Posture
Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine has long been informed by its rivalry with India. Since it opted out of the NPT in 1994, Pakistan has maintained a minimum credible deterrence framework as part of its wider defence strategy and maintained approximately 170 warheads with potential expansion plans aimed at countering evolving regional threats (Wikipedia).
As regional tensions escalate, Pakistan under Khawaja Asif’s leadership has sent out an unequivocal signal: its nuclear program remains nonpolitical, defensive and principled. Diplomatic channels remain frayed while both nuclear-armed neighbors expand their nuclear readiness, so Asif’s commitment to restraint plays an integral part in trying to avoid further escalation.
History will ultimately judge whether our commitment to controlled deterrence stands up against pressure; or whether its foundation crumbles under an atmosphere of misinformation and distrust.