Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has faced condemnation for a threat-like gesture towards an Afghan woman journalist who questioned him about Pakistan's ties with the Taliban and their treatment of Afghan women. The incident occurred on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The journalist asked Asif about Pakistan's message to the Taliban regarding their policies towards Afghan women and why Pakistan did not challenge those policies from the beginning.
The journalist's question was met with an interruption from Asif, who did not answer her question and instead pointed towards her attire. He said, 'Don't go back like this over there. They will... otherwise they will..,' taking his hand across his neck. This response was strongly condemned on social media, with users saying the gesture clearly implied that she could be killed if she returned to Afghanistan.
Social media users also criticized the laughter of Asif and men beside him following his remarks. They said that the journalist had asked a serious question about the Taliban's policies towards Afghan women and Pakistan's position on them. The incident has sparked outrage, with many condemning Asif's behavior as unprofessional and threatening.
The incident comes amid continuing cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan has carried out aerial and drone strikes at 10 locations across Afghanistan, which Afghanistan has termed as blatant aggression. The Afghan government has warned Pakistan of 'dire consequences' over its actions.
According to the Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, four Afghan compatriots were martyred in the strikes. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemned the attacks, considering them a flagrant violation of all principles and a crime. Pakistan's Federal Information Minister Atauallah Tarar said that the strikes were conducted in response to drones launched from Afghanistan.
Tarar said that the targets were locations allegedly used for launching and storing the drones. He added that the strikes were deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate, and strictly limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan. The situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains tense.
The international community has been following the developments between Pakistan and Afghanistan with concern. The incident involving Asif and the Afghan journalist has added to the tensions, with many calling for restraint and diplomacy to resolve the issues between the two countries.
Key points
- Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's threat-like gesture towards Afghan journalist sparks outrage
- Incident occurs amid continuing cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan
- Afghanistan warns Pakistan of 'dire consequences' over its actions
