Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has drawn widespread condemnation following a controversial exchange in New York, where he made dismissive and threatening gestures toward prominent Afghan female journalist Nazira Karimi during an interview on Afghan-Pakistan relations and women's rights under the Taliban.
The incident occurred on Sunday when Karimi questioned Asif regarding Pakistan's historic ties with the Taliban, Islamabad's current diplomatic posture, and the oppressive conditions faced by women in Afghanistan. Responding to the inquiry, Defense Minister Asif pointed at her clothing, signaling a throat-slitting gesture while remarking, "Do not go to Afghanistan wearing such clothes, or the Taliban will cut your throat." As members of his delegation laughed, the interaction sparked intense public backlash on social media, with critics condemning the minister for reducing serious inquiries on human rights to gendered mockery. During the encounter, Asif also stated that hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past four decades was a "mistake" by Pakistan and characterized Afghanistan as a bad neighbor, accusing Kabul of harboring militant groups responsible for cross-border attacks along the Pakistani border.
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Reported by International Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
