Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Force in Play

Declared 'open war' against Taliban Afghanistan

Pakistan and Afghanistan are in their most intense military confrontation since the Taliban took power in 2021. On March 17, 2026, Pakistan struck a 2,000-bed hospital in Kabul, killing approximately 400 people and injuring nearly 250 — the conflict's deadliest single incident, according to Afghan officials.

Updated May 29

Force in Play

Serving as Defence Minister since 2022; leading government response

Pakistan had not seen a suicide bombing in its capital since 2016. That changed in November 2025, when an attacker killed 12 outside an Islamabad court. On February 6, 2026, a suicide bomber killed 31 at the Shia Khadija Tul Kubra mosque during Friday prayers, wounding 169 more — the deadliest since the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing that killed 63.

Updated May 27