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Confusions, stirred by a fake news article involving nuclear threats to Pakistan by Israel, prompted Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to issue a statement directing the same to Israel.
Israel's ministry of defence, however, clarified that the statement attributed to former Israeli defence minister Moshe Ya'alon was "never said" and the reports are "entirely false".
The headline of the news published on AWD News' website quotes "Israeli Defense Minister" as saying that If Pakistan send ground troops into Syria on any pretext, "we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack."
However, contradicting the headline, the first para of the piece attributed the same statement to a former defence minister of Israel Moshe Ya'alon.
Khawaja Asif was quick in reacting to this through his Twitter account, tweeting "Israeli defence minister threatens nuclear retaliation presuming Pakistan's role in Syria against Daesh. Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too."
In response, Israel's defence ministry also took to Twitter to clarify that any such statement was never issued and that the news item was totally baseless.
Hundreds of Twitter users retweeted Asif's statement. A large number of others were also seen discussing the issue on other social media platforms. The matter also earned the attention of international media.
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On DawnNews
Comments (136) Closed
Dec 25, 2016 06:30pm
Lol camt even verify before posting something and hes a defence minister.....
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Dec 25, 2016 06:33pm
Think before you speak!
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Dec 25, 2016 06:34pm
Shows level of our ministers. Sad state.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:39pm
Khawaja Sb should have shown some maturity and should have tried to verified the news before giving any comments
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Dec 25, 2016 06:37pm
The incidence shows two straits of current pak leadership - temprament and intelligence.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:39pm
Poor management of the whole situation.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:43pm
Happens when you appoint a councilor level politician as Defence ministry.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:45pm
@Taimur : you need to understand Khuwaja Sahab is busy hiding corruption of his own and his party leader. He has no time to verify the news or think before he speaks.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:48pm
pakistan defense minister is zero.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:51pm
Powerless defense minister can do nothing other than ranting .
He has no authority what so ever over the defense affairs.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:49pm
Regardless of real or fake news Khwaja Asif did the right thing by saying what he did. People should know the outcome of messing with Pakistan.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:49pm
Mistakes happen. Our ministers are bit new to online world, esp social media fake news stuff so forgive him. I hope he will learn something out of this misunderstanding.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:51pm
What a pity ..This guy has painted a shameless picture for Pakistan....Shows how Pak foriegn diplomacy has failed
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Dec 25, 2016 06:52pm
join back in union... its good for all...
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Dec 25, 2016 06:56pm
A country with headless foreign ministry.
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Dec 25, 2016 06:56pm
This is the level of Pak leadership who don't even verify the news..the same case with India..
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Dec 25, 2016 06:59pm
Whether they so or not Pakistan I would keep my eyes focused on the settlers. Trust them not.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:00pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan your and many like you cannot think outside of corruption. Read the news which have nothing to corruption . Honestly Pakistani nation more corrupt than there politician . They do corruption even when they migrate to other countries . Simple it was irresponsible response by our minister.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:05pm
@ahmed ali You should know that he was not talking about internal matters but was threatening other country based on some fake NEWS. How would you call yourself responsible nuclear state when your defense minister is threatening other country with nuclear based on a fake NEWS?
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Dec 25, 2016 07:07pm
Khawaja sahab is too quick to share something sensational which got good potential to divert attention from the corruption.
Israel hardly referred Pakistan directly in the history, and this statement looked more fake than true to any logical person except to this gentleman with great position and responsibilities.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:12pm
As a defence Minister He has every Right to say to those who may threat Pakistan. Forces against Pakistan should made aware of the consequences, regardless of the authenticity of the News
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Dec 25, 2016 07:15pm
@saeeds: PML-N and PPP are synonyms for the word corruption.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:13pm
@Saeeds - But these cronies' focus is totally on saving the chief from Panama Gate. The rest is on autopilot!
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Dec 25, 2016 07:19pm
This was NOT a fake news but what is called a 'testing'probe by Israel. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acted promptly, appropriately, wisely. Pak needs leaders like Khawaja Sb. He made us proud. Thank you sir.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:20pm
Israel area 8000 sq miles,Pak area 307000 sq miles.Khawaja Asif make haste in reacting to false report.Israel & Pakistan are both friends of friend, hence friends,and Khawaja Asif may please think positive.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:20pm
Fake news is not a joke anymore. Its become more than just a game now. Fake news had a direct role in helping Donald Trump win the election. Unfortunately people will believe what they want to believe without bothering to authenticate the story or checking the source.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:20pm
It was the responsibility of the Israeli Defense Ministry to quickly repudiate the news before Pakistan could response. Such irresponsible news must be curbed immediately. Nuclear weapons are not toys.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:20pm
@TRUTH. It was the responsibility of Israel to repudiate the news not Pakistani defense minister.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:32pm
Shows how safe our nuks are in the hands of geniuses.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:34pm
I didn't know ministers get their news from Whatsapp or Facebook ;)
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Dec 25, 2016 07:38pm
Empty vessels make more noise
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Dec 25, 2016 07:38pm
These jokers are really funny. No one in Israel thinks about us. Our people need to do a reality check.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:42pm
Needs some education.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:54pm
Reply should have come from a person of some credibility and image.
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Dec 25, 2016 07:55pm
Expecting a strong answer from Gen.Rtd. Musharraf.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:00pm
I think he joined PTI. Spreading fake news everywhere without verifying it. Like 35 puncher
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Dec 25, 2016 07:57pm
@Jadugar i am on your side so all the pakistanies
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Dec 25, 2016 08:04pm
Khwaja Asif's response to such an incredible statement (even a false one) was appropriate. Whether he should've verified the authenticity of it before responding is a different matter. Since Pakistan has no relationship with Israel, that becomes a tad difficult.
To his credit, at least he keeps up with social media and news related to his job. Unlike the former Minister of dis-Information. Who was clueless and responded to media reports, weeks and months after the fact.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:08pm
Mr. Khwaja has learned from Mr.Trump, react and Twitter Happy.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:07pm
Immature, childish minister. The Israelis are much more sensible than this man. As a Pakistani, I feel embarrassed.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:13pm
@ahmed ali you are right and the general view of the Pakistan people is also the same, because they are fed with news and views that resulted in this type thinking. It will take lot of time before they start thinking the way ought to think in 21st century.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:21pm
So this is the "responsible" defence minister of Pakistan.... way to go
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Dec 25, 2016 08:20pm
This man thinks that nuclear weapons are only defence system. I doubt his abilities to understand how defence system works.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:28pm
@SOHAIL I. These days people are disappointed by all the politicians and their parties. And talks of the town are 'technocrats government' time has ripe for new experiment.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:46pm
He did say they were testing Pakistan this how Israel always does it.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:50pm
These news are leaked through such "fake" websites to gauge response from other side. Hope all is clear now to everyone as to what Pakistan response would be in such eventuality.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:53pm
Should he not apologize!!!!!! Nuclear war not something you can be wrong about.
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Dec 25, 2016 08:56pm
and he is a defence minister...
sad..
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Dec 25, 2016 09:07pm
The power of fake news!
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Dec 25, 2016 09:08pm
Good response, no one should dare to mess with Pakistan!! Israel was very proud of their air force until they met PAF!
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Dec 25, 2016 09:12pm
No need to verify... Prompt reply in such matters is very important, it is due to Khawaja Asif's quick response that Israel sent a message that it was all fake news...Pakistan should make itself an established power Militarily and Economically, Inshahallah.
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Dec 25, 2016 09:23pm
Sensibility is better than wanton reaction. Being a responsible minister of the country's armed forces he needs to act sensibly and with a good sense of thinking.
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Dec 25, 2016 09:44pm
Thr nature of threat whether false or true is not important, but the appropriate response from the government was the right thing to do: one cannot mess around with a nuclear power!
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Dec 25, 2016 09:48pm
nuclear weapons are for the deterrent purposes only and please to maintain peace even at the greatest provocation.
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Dec 25, 2016 09:53pm
@Aftab;
'Shows how safe our nukes are in the hands of geniuses.'
Rest assured our nukes are in the hands of geniuses. Khwaja sahib or any other minister, prime or otherwise has nothing to do with it, that is why they haven't been sold yet.
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Dec 25, 2016 09:55pm
Unwise tweet by the Defence Minister. Talk is Easy Competency is difficult. Our Childish Leaders..
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Dec 25, 2016 09:54pm
@sensible Indian;
'join back in union..'
You are not talking about the Union Jack, are you? The Union Jack may itself join back the European Union.
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Dec 25, 2016 09:57pm
@El Cid what is the prove that it is not fake? and said by the same guy.
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Dec 25, 2016 10:05pm
No end to human miseries, lets work for the humanity and the mankind which is the main subject of all the religions.
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Dec 25, 2016 10:10pm
Sometimes rumors can cause irreprable loss
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Dec 25, 2016 10:14pm
@M. Siddique
they would have if he had not jumped to react without checking
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Dec 25, 2016 10:23pm
Iran is enough for them. We are far ahead than Iran.......this is a dream to never come through.
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Dec 25, 2016 10:59pm
When it comes to national interest and specially to response to Israel, no need to think. Well-done.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:00am
Pakistan should recognize Israel. Great talented people.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:05am
Khawaja Asif is the defense minister so he needs to verify facts before opening his mouth. Please do not make our nation a joke.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:15am
this govt is famous in reacting to non-existent issues and keeping eyes shut on visible problems.... kh Asif no exception like NS and SS.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:29am
Let calm heads prevail. Hope Pakistan and Israel become allies and work together. We have much in common and would benefit from having more open relations and trade.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:31am
This is so easy to check each others capability.Let Pakistan send ground troops to Syria
and let the world see what Israel can do there.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:30am
This is what happens when facebook is your primary news source.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:58am
This guy is nowhere of a level of minister
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Dec 26, 2016 01:26am
You can't trust the Israelis they could have put the statement out to test how Pakistan would react.
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Dec 26, 2016 01:32am
This is what happens when a country does not have a foreign minister, no surprise here.
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Dec 26, 2016 01:36am
White hair but behavior like a kid.. Dont blow yourself
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Dec 26, 2016 02:18am
@Sadaf , Had he not responded so quickly, you guys must have accused him of being cowardly. How do we know it was not a feeler from the Israeli Government? It is perfect timing. Now Isreali Govt. had to clarify their position twice. Thankyou, K.Asif.
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Dec 26, 2016 02:37am
Israel will never respond to anything directly, but through the neighbours...
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Dec 26, 2016 04:02am
What do I do now and which "C" is applicable (a) Commend or (b) Condemn? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
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Dec 26, 2016 04:11am
Can this incompetent man be replaced please?
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Dec 26, 2016 04:43am
Perhaps he should limit his twitter use!
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Dec 26, 2016 04:42am
@sensible Indian No thanks buddy...but lets work together for all humanity!
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Dec 26, 2016 04:43am
@SOHAIL No he is still with incompetent corrupt and cheating PML-N
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Dec 26, 2016 04:47am
@sana-1 They still are but they have never really met a modern airfare in large numbers.
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Dec 26, 2016 04:45am
@SAEED MASOOD By reacting to everything or actually working on laws and a system aimed at development?
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Dec 26, 2016 04:59am
Irresponsible statements from both sides. It is highly regrettable. One should think before he speaks.
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Dec 26, 2016 05:49am
@Asad
I disagree, what nonsense you are talking.
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Dec 26, 2016 06:01am
Power of 'Fake News' in this day & age.
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Dec 26, 2016 06:16am
@true minds first know about defence minister of india than comment...
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Dec 26, 2016 06:32am
Khawaja Asif never thretened israel. He reacted to a threat ! Bad wishers tested pak power and appropriate response. Now israel clarifies . It is ok now: this is good that all the world should know the price of messing with pakistan!
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Dec 26, 2016 07:28am
@Dasti There is other information and knowledge out side of this source and number of other things that have not been mentioned I am privy to.
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Dec 26, 2016 07:56am
Who cares, we will have CPEC soon and all our problems will be gone.
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Dec 26, 2016 08:17am
This is about time a communication hotlines must be established between all nuclear powers declared or not including Israel, as their are lot of Fake news being spread by the enmies of humanity. One should not be talking about nuke sticks that causally. May god keep us all safe from the enimies of humanity.
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Dec 26, 2016 08:22am
Really surprising ..don't the defense minister has staff to verify news.
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Dec 26, 2016 08:23am
khwaja made a joke of herself....such people at critical post are a threat to pak.. there might be some other countries which might consider this as a offical word from pak ...
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Dec 26, 2016 08:39am
This is not a news to even react.
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Dec 26, 2016 08:45am
@ahmed ali Actually Sir you said perfectly accurate!!
Fake or no fake Just a reminder if one has some bad intentions we must educate those with hatefull agenda
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Dec 26, 2016 10:01am
Israel does not believe in soft words what defence minister said is the right things towards them red eys is the only language understood for the Israelies -he done good job -thanks
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Dec 26, 2016 10:11am
Lot of people are criticizing our defence minister. For the first time I feel proud of his statement against Israel. Even if the news was fake, it should have been tackle by Israeli govt. But Pakistan reaction was a need as this time the news was fake and if there was no response from Pakistan side, next time that news could have been the real news in media. Welldone Pakistan for showing Israel that they should not even think in their dreams about attacking Pakistan.
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Dec 26, 2016 10:08am
Fake News is most dangerous, all news has to be verified, with internet, more of fake will appear, and decision makers have to verify first everything they read or hear.
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Dec 26, 2016 10:24am
@Taimur : It became fake news once our Def Minister responded. Otherwise it would never have been declared fake.It was right of ous to respond in this manner
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Dec 26, 2016 10:40am
You fellas are wrong. Our def minister did right thing. If hadn't you all will be cursing him then too.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:12pm
Minister should have done his homework before making statement. Normally they are briefed by his secretary who has responsibility to make sure any news are authentic and verified. It is humiliating situation for him and Pakistan. He should come out and provide explanation to Nation/
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Dec 26, 2016 12:43pm
Whether or not true the answer was brave for entire world that "DONT MESS WITH PAKISTAN". Good Job Defense Minister.
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Dec 26, 2016 12:50pm
This is bound to happen if you nominate fake and incompetent to fill in big positions. What a sad state of affairs.
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Dec 26, 2016 01:13pm
Israel should know Pakistan is not an Arab country.
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Dec 26, 2016 01:30pm
@Qamar You are right. The Defence Minister would get hit both ways- if he reacts or he doesn't. Poor guy. Give him credit for what he did :))
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Dec 26, 2016 01:54pm
I think now the people of Pakistan know and would be happy they don't have a Foreign Minister.
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Dec 26, 2016 02:27pm
Now world understood the might and power of Pakisthan through Asif sahib. Now Israelis must be shivering and worrying about their future...
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Dec 26, 2016 03:57pm
With this news it should be more clear to the world that whose agenda is behind the war in Syria and who are the supporters of Daesh / ISIS / Taliban.
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Dec 26, 2016 04:02pm
Please resign - you are incompetent and irresponsible . You are acting like trump and tweeting without fact checking
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Dec 26, 2016 04:43pm
@Babar Plz do a little research on Israel's technology development. They are one supplying hi-tech stuff to India. From radars to anti missile systems. Technologically they are close to the US
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Dec 26, 2016 05:18pm
What is wrong with the statement. All you people are nitwits, he did his job. Nice one Khawaja ! Do not believe is was fake, this cyber warfare, predicting opponents response.
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Dec 26, 2016 06:00pm
At least Khawaja As did a sensible thing in his life, which we don't expect from him.
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Dec 26, 2016 06:30pm
Social media such as Twitter, Facebook etc. should not be the mouthpiece of any official policy of ANY country in the world.
It is only causing confusion and fake news...
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Dec 26, 2016 06:45pm
Israelies and Indians he scared you didn t he? We are a nation which never bows down to any country.
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Dec 26, 2016 06:48pm
We excel in knee-jerk reactions to rumors, fake news and conspiracy theories.
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Dec 26, 2016 07:14pm
A befitting reply to the cowardly state of Israhell. Well said Mr. Minister. We all know the tactics & lies of the state of Israel!
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Dec 26, 2016 07:29pm
@kz. Why we should recognize Israel when it's occupying Muslim lands and Jerusalem since 1967. This is the only country in the world which keeps expanding its borders everyday by building settlements on Palestine land. Obama tried to convince Netyahu to accept the two state policy but he did not accept it and Obama was not forceful enough. Obama could have done more but Israeli powerful lobby was in the way. The second thing which weakens the Muslim countries is the lack of unity. We should never recognize Israel as long as it occupies Arab lands. The befitting reponse of our defense minister Mr
Khawja was prompt,to the point and praiseworthy. Thanks Mr. Khawja. You are on the ball.
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Dec 26, 2016 08:19pm
great on Asif saab, whether Israel said it or not we gave them a strong message
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Dec 26, 2016 09:22pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan very well said
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Dec 26, 2016 09:23pm
If somebody even had to make a statement it should have been Foreign Minister - oh wait - there is no FM - Nawaz was busy so his right man reacted without any verification !!!
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Dec 27, 2016 05:45am
To all the Israelis we love Jewish and Palestinian people, but not the ones who are causing hate and division between Jews and Palestinians. No to extremism of any FAITH! Love to Israel from the Indus Valley land Pakistan. Shanti!
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Dec 27, 2016 05:51am
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Sharp and to the point! Shukria!
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Dec 27, 2016 12:22pm
@Sara
except for Bangladesh.
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Dec 27, 2016 03:00pm
Unwanted and Unnecessary negative attention. Speaking/Warning against a country on the basis of newspaper article without even verifying its authenticity is immature.
Spoiling the relationship for no reason.
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Dec 27, 2016 03:13pm
@ahmed ali I fully agree!
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Dec 27, 2016 03:44pm
Khawaja did right and responded in a balanced way. Any threat (real or perceived) from a rogue country like Israel must be responded to, in the best interest of stopping any military fantasy.
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Dec 27, 2016 05:19pm
I HAVE READ THE COMMENTS AND VERY DISAPPOINTED. THE MOST COMMENTATORS ARE BELONGS TO PAKISTAN AND THEY COMMENTS AGAINST PAKISTANI MINISTER INSTEAD OF ISRAELI MINISTER. HAVE YOU ALL EVER LISTEN ANY COMMENTS FROM AN ISRAELI AGAINST THEIR MINISTER ?.
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Dec 27, 2016 06:19pm
Some countries plant these news to assess the reaction levels and later label it fake. The news was online since 20th, Isreali ministirs didn't bother for 5 days to claim it's false but only when they got a response.
Also all the world media wasn't bothered by Israeli threat to nuke Pakistan for whole one week but we're quick to react to Pakistani response. This was not a fake news as for anybody was concerned for whole one week with no denials from Israeli establishment
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Dec 27, 2016 06:18pm
Take care of your own country and mind your own business. No one will come to your help. Every one knows Pakistan is a Nuclear State and it would not b easy to destroy it. The country hat attacks Pakistan may also be destroyed. The time for war and mutual suicide is over. Talk little and talk sense. Work towards mutual good.
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Dec 27, 2016 06:26pm
All those cursing Pakistani Def Minister are at wrong. Thisso called fake news was online for whole one week. You think Isreali intelligence was.unaware of its presence? So stop acting naïve and dumb.
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Dec 27, 2016 06:27pm
@IQ
what world do u live in? Get ur IQ check once again....
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Dec 27, 2016 06:45pm
@Raja
Why verify, it's our defense personnel's responsibility to make it clear so stupids like Israel don't even thing about it :)
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Dec 27, 2016 07:44pm
What a guy!
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Dec 27, 2016 08:40pm
And we have to rely on person like this to defend our country.
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Dec 27, 2016 09:27pm
Had he not reacted the same folks would have said "Govt is in effective by not responding". There is a need for changing expectation from folks in the country.
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Dec 27, 2016 10:23pm
@Sara
Listen you goat. If Indians pee in your direction, you shall be washed away into Arabian sea.
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Dec 28, 2016 10:47am
@qaisar I am leaving in the same world where you leave. you have no answer of my question that's why you are simply criticize.
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