In a rare and brutal display of self-reflection, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made explosive remarks in the National Assembly, slamming the country’s historical alignment with the United States. His speech stripped away the long-standing narrative of “strategic partnership,” replacing it with a grim reality of exploitation and long-term national damage.

The “Toilet Paper” Analogy Venting his frustration over the US-Pakistan relationship, Asif stated, “Pakistan was treated worse than a piece of toilet paper and then thrown away, but we did not learn from it.” He argued that Pakistan allowed itself to be used for Washington’s strategic goals in Afghanistan, only to be discarded once the objectives were met.

Dictators and the ‘Superpower War’ Asif pointed the finger at former military rulers General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf for selling out the country’s interests to gain international legitimacy. “We did not participate in those two wars for Islam or for the love of religion. It was a war of superpowers,” he admitted, debunking the religious motivations often cited for Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghan conflicts.

The Bitter Truth About Terrorism Addressing the wave of violence currently gripping Pakistan, the Defence Minister linked terrorism directly to past policy errors. Labeling it as “blowback,” he urged the house to stop denying history. “The losses we suffered can never be compensated,” he said, describing the strategic mistakes as “irreversible.” He concluded by calling for a national “confession” to rectify the path forward, emphasizing that the country must reconnect with its own soil rather than foreign interests.