Pakistan 'Rented Itself Out' for US Backing, Not Jihad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted Pakistan's Afghan war involvement was for political gain, not religious motives.
• He stated Pakistan sought international legitimacy and US support in conflicts from the Soviet invasion to post-9/11.
• Asif clarified that the Soviet-Afghan war was a superpower's proxy conflict, not a jihad, and Pakistan altered its narrative.
• He criticized Pakistan for 'renting itself out' for two decades to gain American support, despite 9/11 not being an Afghan act.
• Asif called for accountability for past policy failures and revealed the Taliban sought money to act against TTP.