• Source:JND

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday triggered sharp reactions after he suggested that the United States should “kidnap” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and bring him to trial, describing him as the “worst criminal of humanity” over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Speaking during a live interview on Pakistan’s Geo TV, Asif compared Netanyahu’s situation to the recent US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, arguing that similar action should be taken against the Israeli leader if Washington truly believes in human rights and justice.

‘Biggest Criminal in History’: Asif

During the interview, Asif claimed that no atrocities in recorded history matched what Palestinians have faced in Gaza. He alleged that Israel’s actions over centuries amounted to unparalleled crimes and directly blamed Netanyahu for the ongoing war. “No community has done what Israel has done to Palestinians in the last 4,000–5,000 years. He is the biggest criminal of humanity. The world has not seen a bigger criminal,” Asif said, reiterating his call for international action against the Israeli prime minister.

Asif repeatedly cited the International Criminal Court to justify his remarks, stating that the ICC had already acted against Netanyahu. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, a move that has remained under legal and diplomatic scrutiny through 2025. The Pakistani minister argued that countries should enforce international law rather than ignore it for political convenience.

Anchor Intervenes Mid-Interview

The interview took a dramatic turn when Asif appeared to hint that those supporting Netanyahu should also be held accountable. At that point, anchor Hamid Mir intervened and called for a break, cautioning that the comments could be interpreted as a reference to US President Donald Trump.

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Mir later indicated that Asif would not continue on air after the break, in what appeared to be an attempt at damage control amid Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate its relationship with Washington.

Asif also floated the idea of Turkey “abducting” Netanyahu and bringing him to Ankara, adding that “Pakistanis are praying for it.” His remarks come against the backdrop of severely strained Israel–Turkey relations since 2024, marked by trade freezes and diplomatic confrontations.

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Pakistan has never recognised Israel and has consistently voiced support for the Palestinian cause. The latest comments, however, arrive at a sensitive time, as Islamabad seeks to balance its ties with the US and China while managing regional pressures.


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