‘Absolutely, we are ready’: Asif says Pakistan can confront aggression on eastern, western borders simultaneously

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that Pakistan was “ready” to confront aggression simultaneously on its eastern and western borders — a reference to India and Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s recent relations with both India and Afghanistan have been characterised by significant strain and tension. Pakistan fought a four-day war with India in May 2025 and had a border skirmish with the Afghan Taliban regime in October of the same year.

“Absolutely, we are ready, by the grace of God,“ said Asif on Geo News programme Capital Talk.

Asif said the country and its armed forces had demonstrated proof of this preparedness during the May 2025 conflict with India.

“The way we gave them a crushing response is the strongest evidence that we were prepared and responded in time,” said the defence minister.

He maintained that the world witnessed how “Modi was thrashed” and how, following the conflict, he lost “all credibility both within his country and internationally”.

The minister further said that following the befitting response by the Pakistan armed forces, India “approached the US”.

“You can determine from that how badly they were shattered — to the point that they had to call China.”

However, the defence minister expressed confidence that there would not be a full-scale war between the two nuclear powers when asked whether India could launch an attack, involve the Taliban, and then bring in US President Trump to enforce a ceasefire.

He further said that the four-day war with India enhanced Pakistan’s prestige. “Our armed forces’ strength is recognised by the entire world,“ said the defence minister, adding that recent orders for fighter aircraft show ”that our jets have been [battle] tested“.