Pakistan’s defense sector is receiving increased international orders following the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India. This development could help improve the country’s economic position and reduce reliance on external financial support, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Tuesday.
Speaking in a private television programme, the minister said the strong performance of the Pakistan Air Force during the May confrontation had drawn global attention, resulting in growing demand for Pakistani defense equipment. He said if these orders are fully executed, Pakistan may not require financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund within the next six months.
The defense minister said Pakistani aircraft demonstrated advanced technological capabilities during the conflict, adding that the performance had effectively tested and validated the country’s defense systems in real conditions. He described the incoming orders as recognition of Pakistan’s military strength at the international level.
He said the May episode enhanced Pakistan’s global standing and credibility, claiming that the outcome had strengthened the country’s position both diplomatically and economically.
Warning India against any future aggression, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan was fully prepared to respond decisively, as it did in May. He said any renewed hostilities would be met with a firm and unified response.
The defense minister also claimed that during the conflict, India sought diplomatic support from major powers, including the United States and China, while Pakistan responded swiftly and decisively on the ground, impacting Indian confidence.
Commenting on regional security, Khawaja Asif criticised the Afghan Taliban, saying they could not be trusted regardless of faction and alleged links with India. He also criticised previous military and political leadership for supporting assumptions about the Taliban’s return to power.
He further criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, alleging that governance failures had contributed to the rise of militancy in the province. He said terrorism had expanded during the previous PTI government and claimed that individuals linked to militant financing still held positions of influence.
The defense minister said Pakistan’s armed forces remained among the strongest in the world and dismissed comparisons with overseas military interventions, saying no such operation could succeed in Pakistan.