'Pakistan is ready for next level if India escalates tensions:' Khawaja Asif

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, signalled a possible escalation between Pakistan and India, stating that while the international community watches as a silent spectator, Pakistan is prepared to move to the 'next level.'

Speaking to Geo News, the minister said Pakistan is ready for any situation, whether the international community intervenes for de-escalation or India continues to escalate the conflict.

He declared the war between two nuclear-armed states a global concern, stating that Pakistan has been talking about peace for two to three days, but India continued its aggression, and “we are ready to go with the flow, if the matter escalates”.  

Khawaja Asif warned the international community that they were silently watching the increasing intensification among armed neighbours in South Asia,  India persisted with its aggression. “We are ready to go with the flow if the matter escalates,” he said.

Analysing the situation, the minister stated that the battle would not be limited to Pakistan if the escalation intensifies.

Amid the US efforts for de-escalation, the defence minister hinted at the possibility of an intensifying conflict between the two nations, stating that this anticipation cannot be rejected but US President should play his role.

The minister described Pakistan’s Saturday action as a retaliation that was necessary for making it clear that Pakistan would not tolerate attacks on its lands, and “India would attack Pakistan again in two to three months if we don’t retaliate.”

He said that there was no damage to any place except one vehicle at the Nur Khan base, no meeting of the National Command Authority was being held, the Prime Minister had called a meeting at 8:30 pm, in which the Prime Minister said that he wanted to talk to all political party’s leadership, this would also be a message of national unity.