‘US politicians accept bribes from Israel openly’: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sparks controversy

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused the United States of openly accepting money from Israel and its lobby, while claiming that Pakistan is being defamed over corruption.

Speaking to Geo TV, Asif said, “We are being defamed for taking bribes. They (Americans) accept bribes from Israel openly. If I have to take bribes, I will do it in a backroom somewhere.”

He added, “Their (US) military bureaucracy, the House of Representatives and their ruling elite have submitted that they finance Israel and Israeli lobbies. We are being defamed, but they do it openly.” Earlier in August, Asif had alleged that many senior Pakistani diplomats were using illicit funds to relocate to Portugal. In a post on X, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader stated, “More than half of the bureaucracy of our dear homeland has already acquired property in Portugal and is preparing to obtain citizenship.”

These remarks follow a series of controversial statements by Asif, including his recent comments on the alleged double standards between Pakistan and the United States regarding corruption.