Soviet and U.S.-Led Wars in Afghanistan Not Fought for Islam, Pakistan Defense Minister Says
Pakistan defense minister tells parliament past Afghanistan wars served political interests, not religion, while regional security consequences continue affecting national policy debates.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told parliament on Monday that Soviet forces were invited by Afghanistan’s government, arguing the term occupation reflected a narrative shaped largely by the United States.
He said Pakistan’s involvement in conflicts connected to Afghanistan was driven by political necessity and the search for superpower backing rather than religious solidarity or ideological motives.
Analysts note Pakistan became a frontline state during both the Soviet-Afghan war and the post-2001 conflict, hosting supply routes and military cooperation crucial to international operations in Afghanistan.
Relations with Washington, however, remained strained, as U.S. officials repeatedly accused Pakistan of tolerating or sheltering insurgent networks, allegations Islamabad consistently denied over the years.
Asif also admitted Pakistan altered educational narratives and policies to support wartime objectives, changes he said still affect society and remain difficult to reverse decades later.
He criticized past military leadership decisions, arguing Pakistan paid heavy economic and security costs, eventually being sidelined after serving external strategic interests in regional conflicts.
During the same parliamentary session, officials said a recent Islamabad suicide bomber was trained in Afghanistan, blaming India’s alleged involvement, while authorities reported dozens killed and many injured.
Officials emphasized Pakistan must acknowledge past strategic mistakes and prioritize internal stability and regional cooperation to prevent future conflicts from undermining national security and social cohesion.
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