Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stirred controversy with a sharply worded remark about the United States, alleging that Washington treated Pakistan “like toilet paper” during the war in Afghanistan. His statement, delivered during a televised interaction, has once again brought the uneasy history of US Pakistan relations into public focus.
Asif argued that Pakistan aligned with the US after the 9/11 attacks under intense diplomatic pressure. According to him, Islamabad became a frontline state in the American-led war on terror, only to face blame and distrust later. He said Pakistan suffered enormous economic damage and lost thousands of civilians and security personnel in militant violence over the past two decades.
अमेरिका ने PAK का टॉयलेट पेपर की तरह इस्तेमाल किया’ पाकिस्तान के रक्षा मंत्री ख्वाजा आसिफ का बयान
कहा-‘जब उसका काम निकल गया तो उसने हमें फेंक दिया’
पाकिस्तान का हमेशा इसी तरह इस्तेमाल अमेरिका और चीन करता है अब इस देश के रक्षा मंत्री तक ये बात कह रहे हैं
#KhwajaAsif #PAKvUSA pic.twitter.com/tI0yw76V0v— Garima Srivastav (@JournoGarima) February 11, 2026
The defence minister maintained that while the US depended heavily on Pakistan for logistics, intelligence sharing and regional access during operations in Afghanistan, it later distanced itself once its objectives were achieved. Washington, on the other hand, has long accused Islamabad of failing to act decisively against certain militant networks allegations Pakistan has repeatedly rejected.
Asif’s remarks come at a sensitive time. Pakistan is dealing with economic stress, rising security concerns along its western borders, and the challenge of reshaping its foreign policy priorities. Analysts believe such statements resonate domestically, where scepticism about US intentions remains strong. However, they also caution that harsh rhetoric could complicate diplomatic engagement at a time when Islamabad is seeking broader international cooperation.
Despite the friction, the two countries continue to maintain working-level communication, particularly on counterterrorism and regional stability. As geopolitical alignments evolve in South Asia, Pakistan’s balancing act between historic alliances and emerging partnerships remains delicate.
Whether Asif’s comment marks a policy shift or simply political messaging, it underlines one thing clearly: the legacy of the war on terror continues to cast a long shadow over US-Pakistan ties.
