Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday that Pakistan has never been free from proxy warfare, warning that the decades-long conflict has intensified and that the threat of another war with India still lingers.
Proxy War Rooted in 1980s
Asif said proxy war has become an established tool of modern warfare and has confronted Pakistan for more than forty years. He noted that the campaign began in the 1980s, when major explosions hit Lahore and Rawalpindi, marking one of the earliest phases of the struggle.
Tensions With India
The minister recalled that Pakistan and India nearly faced another full-scale war in the aftermath of what he described as the “May conflict.” He said the situation was so volatile that a direct military confrontation seemed imminent.
Role of the United States
According to Asif, the United States had offered what he called “certification” of Pakistan’s success against India during the period of heightened tension. He added that U.S. presidential intervention played a decisive role in de-escalating the crisis and halting the drift toward war.
Threat Still Unresolved
Asif emphasized that the danger has not disappeared. He said the risk of conflict with India “still exists,” stressing the need for vigilance as regional tensions continue to simmer.
The minister urged sustained diplomatic efforts and strategic preparedness to prevent instability in South Asia.
Read more: Indian Fighter Jet Tejas Crashes during Dubai Air Show
