Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Calls Pakistan a “Hybrid Regime,” Claims US Is Run by “Deep State”
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has described his country as a “hybrid regime” — where power is shared between the military and civilian leadership — while asserting that the United States is controlled by a “deep state.”
In an interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, Asif defended Pakistan’s unique governance system, saying, “I’m a political appointee, I’m a political worker. It’s not as if I have to answer to the army chief like in some models. We follow a hybrid system.”
When Hasan cited the US model, noting that the Secretary of War can direct generals, Asif said, “They have a different model over there. It’s called the deep state.” On being pressed about Pakistan, he added, “You can say that because of our military rulers — it is more visible.”
On Power-Sharing in Pakistan
Asif described decision-making in Pakistan as based on “consensus” between civilian leadership and the military. When asked hypothetically about disagreements with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, he said, “It’s not equal… We can agree to disagree. It is by consensus, whatever is taking place.”
The remarks came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Asim Munir, met former US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Earlier this year, in an interview with Arab News, Asif had defended Pakistan’s hybrid system, calling it a “practical necessity” until the country resolves its economic and governance challenges, despite acknowledging it is “not an ideal democratic government.”
Admissions Regarding Terrorism
Asif has previously admitted Pakistan’s historical involvement in supporting terrorist organizations. Days after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in India, which killed 26 people, he told Sky News, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades… and the West, including Britain.”
He acknowledged Pakistan’s long-standing support, training, and funding of terrorist groups.
India, citing Asif’s remarks at the United Nations, said his “open confession exposes Pakistan as a rogue state fueling global terrorism and destabilising the region,” and asserted that the international community can no longer ignore Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism.
#PakistanPolitics #KhawajaAsif #HybridRegime #DeepState #USPolitics #PakistanMilitary #GlobalTerrorism #PahalgamAttack #IndiaPakistanTensions #UNStatements #ShehbazSharif #AsimMunir
