Khawaja Asif: Pakistan Defense Minister Sparks Outrage With Gesture To Journalist

A video of Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif is circulating rapidly on social media platforms, capturing a moment that has sparked widespread condemnation. The incident occurred during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the minister was approached by an Afghan female journalist. The journalist posed several pointed questions regarding Pakistan's relationship with the Taliban and its stance on the rights of Afghan women, while the interaction, which was meant to be a professional inquiry into international policy, took a controversial turn when the minister responded with a gesture that many have described as threatening and shameful.

The Journalist's Questions on Taliban Policy

During the encounter, the Afghan journalist questioned Khawaja Asif about Pakistan's specific communication with the Taliban regarding the rights of women in Afghanistan. She asked whether Pakistan intended to exert any pressure on the Taliban to bring about changes in their restrictive policies. On top of that, the journalist raised a critical point about the historical context of the relationship, asking why Pakistan didn't oppose the Taliban's policies concerning women during the period when Pakistan openly considered the group a friend, while these questions sought to address the perceived inconsistency in Pakistan's diplomatic approach toward its neighbor and the humanitarian crisis facing women under the current Afghan regime.

The Controversial Gesture by Khawaja Asif

The video footage shows that as the journalist was speaking, Khawaja Asif interrupted her. Instead of providing a verbal policy explanation, he pointed toward her clothing and remarked that she shouldn't go back in that manner. Following this comment, he moved his hand across his throat in a horizontal motion, a gesture commonly interpreted as a sign of execution or death. The implication of the gesture appeared to be that if the journalist returned to Afghanistan dressed as she was or asking such questions, she would face fatal consequences. Adding to the controversy, several men standing around the minister were seen laughing as the gesture was made, further intensifying the public's anger over the lack of decorum and respect shown to the reporter.

Social Media Backlash and Public Reaction

The video has triggered a wave of negative reactions across social media. One user, while sharing the clip, noted that the Afghan woman had asked a legitimate question about Pakistan's friendship with the Taliban and why those policies were never challenged from the beginning. The user highlighted that the minister's response of "don't go back" accompanied by the throat-slitting gesture was a clear indication of a threat, while critics have pointed out that such behavior from a senior government official toward a woman asking a serious question is entirely unacceptable. They argued that threatening a woman with a death gesture is neither a joke nor a sign of strength or leadership. The laughter from the surrounding men was described as particularly disturbing, reflecting a deeper issue of insensitivity toward the suffering of Afghan women, while many users emphasized that Afghan women deserve respect, safety, and the freedom to speak without fear of intimidation or mockery.

Context of Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions

This incident comes at a time of heightened tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The relationship between the two nations has been strained by frequent border disputes and military actions. Recently, Pakistan conducted airstrikes and drone attacks on 10 different locations within Afghanistan. The Pakistani government defended these actions, stating they were a response to drone attacks originating from Afghan soil. Pakistan claimed to have targeted specific sites where drones were being launched and stored, while in contrast, the Afghan government condemned the strikes as an act of aggression. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Afghan government, claimed that the Pakistani military action resulted in the deaths of 4 Afghan civilians, further complicating the diplomatic and security situation in the region.

An Afghan woman asked #KhawajaAsif a legitimate question about Pakistan’s friendship with Taliban, and Taliban’s treatment of #AfghanWomen, and why #Pakistan did not challenge these policies from the beginning when the #Taliban were considered friends.
His response? Don’t go… pic.twitter.com/cJFVGCbhKB

— Aina Durkhanai آئینه درخانۍ (@khybereena) September 26, 2026