Pakistan told to move from ‘soft’ to ‘hard state’ Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for the country to move beyond its reputation as a “soft state” and instead establish itself as a firm, law-abiding “hard state.” His remarks came after a high-level security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday.

The meeting brought together top military officials, including Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, senior military leaders, and the chief ministers from all provinces to review the nation’s internal security landscape. A significant part of the discussion focused on recent unrest in Punjab related to protests by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

Defence Minister Asif lauded the Punjab government for its effective handling of the violent demonstrations, commending the decisive leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He highlighted Punjab’s strong response as a model that other provinces should emulate in confronting extremist activities and disorder.

Read More:Over 2,700 TLP Activists Arrested Across Punjab

“The firm approach taken by Punjab under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz is highly commendable,” Asif remarked. “This decisive stance against lawlessness must become the cornerstone of our national strategy against extremism.”

Asif emphasized that Pakistan needs to shed its “soft state” image and instead become a nation governed firmly by constitutional law and order, noting that Punjab’s actions represent the first step in this direction.

The Defence Minister also noted that the meeting underscored a unified and clear commitment among both civilian and military leadership to address terrorism and safeguard national security.

In related remarks, Khawaja Asif detailed Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts with the Afghan Taliban regime. Since 2021, multiple visits by high-level officials, including the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and intelligence representatives, have aimed at fostering cooperation. Despite these efforts, Pakistan has not received positive engagement from Kabul.

Highlighting the intensity of these contacts, Asif mentioned that Pakistan held 225 border flag meetings, issued over 800 protest notes, and conducted numerous formal diplomatic démarches to address security concerns along the Afghanistan border.

Read More: Saad Rizvi, TLP Workers Booked for Terrorism Charges

Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Hussain Rizvi and several party workers have been booked under terrorism and related charges following violent clashes with police.

First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed at police stations in Rawat, Taxila, and Muridke. The charges include terrorism, attempted murder, robbery, and incitement to violence.

The FIRs allege that protesters attacked police officers with firearms, petrol bombs, and spiked sticks. Inspector Shahzad Jhumat was killed by a gunshot during the clashes, and several other officers were injured.