Khawaja Asif says voices within PTI favour politics over resistance

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that voices are emerging from within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) calling for political engagement instead of confrontation.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, the defence minister said PTI could gain considerable political space if it chose to pursue politics through dialogue and democratic engagement.

Asif said it would be beneficial for the party’s political future if its leadership moved beyond the influence of social media. He suggested that the party needed to focus on practical political activity rather than allowing online narratives to shape its strategy.

The minister also commented on recent remarks concerning Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He said he could not comment on statements made by other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders about the JUI-F chief.

However, Asif acknowledged that Fazlur Rehman had made strong statements, adding that he had responded to those remarks with political criticism.

Emphasising the changing nature of political relationships, the defence minister said there was no permanent point of no return in politics. He noted that political opponents could become allies over time, just as former allies could turn into rivals.

“Yesterday’s friends can become today’s enemies, while yesterday’s enemies can become today’s friends,” he said, highlighting how political circumstances and alliances could change.