Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Muhammad Asif
Born	(1949-08-09) August 9, 1949 Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1991–present
Known for	Defence Minister of Pakistan (2013–2017, 2022–present), Minister for Foreign Affairs (2017–2018)

Khawaja Muhammad Asif (born 9 August 1949) is a seasoned Pakistani politician currently serving as the Defence Minister of Pakistan since 2022, a role he previously held from 2013 until July 2017. He has been elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan seven times, beginning in 1993.

As of 11 March 2024, Asif also assumes the responsibilities of the Minister of Aviation. His tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs (Pakistan) occurred during the Abbasi cabinet from August 2017 to April 2018. Concurrently, during Nawaz Sharif's third administration from 2013 to 2017, he managed the Defence and Water and Power ministries.

Asif's political journey commenced with his election to the Senate of Pakistan in 1991 under Nawaz Sharif's initial government. Between 1997 and 1999, he held several federal cabinet positions, notably serving as chairman of the Privatization Commission during Sharif's second term. In 2008, within the Gillani ministry, he briefly oversaw the portfolios of Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources and Minister for Sports.

Early life and education

Born on 9 August 1949 in Sialkot, Punjab, Asif is the son of prominent politician Khawaja Muhammad Safdar. His family traces its roots to Kashmir, having settled in Punjab generations ago from the Kashmir Valley. He completed his early schooling at Cadet College Hasan Abdal, earned a bachelor's degree from Government College University, and obtained an L.L.B. from University Law College, Lahore in 1970. Subsequently, he earned a master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics in 1975.

Before entering politics, Asif worked professionally as a banker in various financial institutions across the United Arab Emirates. After his father's passing in 1991, he returned to Pakistan to continue his political legacy. He is a father to one son and three daughters.

In recognition of his contributions, Asif received an honorary doctorate in international relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations in 2017. Additionally, in 2019, he was listed among Pakistan’s "most handsome lawmakers."

Initial political involvement and Senate service

Following his return to Pakistan in 1991 after spending years in the UAE, Asif launched his political career by securing a seat in the Senate of Pakistan as a representative of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) for a three-year term.

Elections to the National Assembly

Asif won election to the National Assembly of Pakistan representing Constituency NA-110 (Sialkot) during the 1993 Pakistani general election and successfully retained this seat in the 1997 Pakistani general election. In the 2002 Pakistani general election, he again secured NA-110 with a tally of 42,743 votes and maintained this position in the 2008 general election with an increased count of 73,007 votes.

During the 2013 Pakistani general election, Asif was re-elected from NA-110 with 92,848 votes, defeating Usman Dar who received 71,573 votes. In the subsequent 2018 general election, he won from NA-73 (Sialkot-II), obtaining 116,957 votes narrowly surpassing Usman Dar’s 115,464 votes. Throughout his career, Asif has promoted the vision of a financially autonomous Pakistan. In May 2019, he was appointed Parliamentary Leader of PML-N within the National Assembly.

In the most recent 2024 Pakistani general election, Asif secured victory once more from constituency NA-71 Sialkot-II, garnering 119,001 votes against Independent candidate Rehana Imtiaz Dar—mother of former adversary Usman Dar—who received 100,482 votes.

Position in the Second Nawaz Sharif administration (1997)

During Nawaz Sharif's second tenure in 1997, he was designated as chairman of Pakistan's Privatization Commission, holding ministerial rank. His service concluded following the 1999 military coup led by Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf, which ousted Nawaz Sharif's government.

Position in the 2008 coalition administration

In 2008, he briefly occupied the roles of Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources and Minister of Sports within the Gillani cabinet. His party subsequently exited the coalition government headed by the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Position in the Third Nawaz Sharif administration (2013)

He assumed the office of Minister of Water and Power in June 2013, later acquiring the additional responsibility of Minister of Defence in November of the same year under Nawaz Sharif’s third government.

Position in the Abbasi administration (2017)

Following Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation amid the Panama Papers verdict in July 2017, he stepped down from ministerial duties. Upon Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s appointment as Prime Minister, he was named Minister for Foreign Affairs—the first to hold this portfolio since PML-N’s return to power in 2013, as Nawaz Sharif had previously managed foreign affairs himself.

Position in the First and Second Shahbaz Sharif administrations (2022 and 2024)

Khawaja Asif was appointed as Pakistan’s Defence Minister during Shehbaz Sharif’s initial term in 2022 and continued to serve in this capacity throughout the subsequent government formed in 2024.

2025 India-Pakistan conflict

On 24 April 2025, amid rising tensions after the Pahalgam incident, Asif cautioned in an interview with Sky News that the crisis risked escalating into a "full-scale war." He further asserted that Pakistan had been undertaking covert operations on behalf of Western countries concerning terrorism financing and claimed that Lashkar-e-Taiba no longer existed within Pakistan. Nevertheless, forensic evidence following Indian airstrikes indicated recent Lashkar-e-Taiba activity at targeted locations.

On 6 May, Asif informed Bloomberg TV that Indian soldiers had been captured during strikes; this statement was later withdrawn after verification processes. He subsequently confirmed on Samaa TV that no Indian troops had been detained.

During a National Assembly address on 8 May amid ongoing hostilities, Asif explained that Pakistani forces intentionally refrained from intercepting Indian drones to avoid disclosing military positions, describing this as a calculated tactical choice.

In a CNN interview conducted during the conflict, when questioned about proof for downing five Indian jets, Asif cited reports from Indian social media rather than official documentation.

On 9 May, he referred to madrassa students as Pakistan’s "second line of defense," implying their potential deployment in civil defense capacities.

In June 2025, Asif claimed Pakistani cyber units were responsible for disrupting the Indian Premier League (IPL), including causing stadium floodlight failures and manipulating dam controls. He alleged the blackout during an IPL match resulted from a Pakistani cyberattack; however, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) attributed it to a technical power outage unrelated to external interference.

On 5 June, Asif declared the Simla Agreement effectively "defunct," stating that regardless of developments concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, the Simla Accord was no longer operative.

Civil-military relations

Khawaja Asif supports a "hybrid governance model" in which the military maintains substantial influence over the civilian administration through informal power-sharing arrangements. He views this approach as a practical response to Pakistan’s economic and administrative difficulties. During a 2025 interview with Arab News, Asif emphasized the military's expanded role following recent conflicts with India and credited this framework with enhancing coordination and ensuring national stability. Although he acknowledged it is not a perfect democratic system, he pointed to its effectiveness via collaborative bodies such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), where military and civilian officials jointly formulate policies. Asif underscored that this model fosters "shared ownership" of authority without diminishing civilian leadership, noting that decisions under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are reached through consensus with military representatives. He suggested that earlier implementation might have facilitated smoother democratic progress in Pakistan and asserted that for the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Sharif family, compromise with the military remains “the only viable path.”

Arrest by NAB and corruption allegations (2002)

Following the military coup, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Asif on charges of corruption, though he was later released.

Dual nationality controversy (2012)

In June 2012, a petition accepted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan claimed that Asif possessed dual citizenship, which is constitutionally prohibited for public office holders in Pakistan. Investigations were conducted by both the Federal Investigations Agency and the Supreme Court. Ultimately, Asif was acquitted; the petitioner retracted the allegations and issued an official apology.

Work permit controversy in 2018 elections

On 26 April 2018, the Islamabad High Court disqualified Asif from holding any public office for life due to his possession of a UAE work permit, resulting in his removal as Member of the National Assembly by the Election Commission of Pakistan. He appealed this ruling to the Supreme Court, which in June 2018 stayed the lifetime ban, annulled the Islamabad High Court’s verdict, and permitted him to participate in elections.

Asset beyond means case (2020)

On 29 December 2020, Asif was taken into custody by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) concerning allegations of possessing assets beyond his declared income. The Lahore High Court granted him bail on 23 June 2021.

Sexist statement in Parliament and widespread backlash (2023)

In July 2023, Asif attracted considerable criticism after referring to female opposition figures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) as "trash and leftovers," provoking accusations of sexism.

Rigging allegations in 2024 elections

Following his victory in the 2024 elections, Asif faced challenges from a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate and independent contender—the mother of former rival Usman Dar—who alleged extensive rigging. This led the Election Commission of Pakistan to suspend finalizing the election results.

External links

• Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Detained in Assets Discrepancy Case – NDTV, December 30, 2020