Defense Minister: Pakistan’s Government Responsible for Floods, Not India

Khawaja Asif, the Defense Minister of Pakistan, has squarely blamed his own government for the recent devastating floods, explicitly clearing India of any accountability. Speaking on a local television channel, Asif highlighted the government’s shortcomings, including the insufficient use of funds allocated for flood prevention. He defended India, asserting that water flow is inherently uncontrollable and that India’s opening of the Salal Dam gates, though a contributing factor, was not the primary cause. Asif further emphasized that illegal construction and encroachment in vulnerable areas were principal factors, questioning the government’s failure to prevent such activities. He also condemned corruption, attributing the current crisis to decades of mismanagement. He noted that the current ruling parties have been in power for a significant period, further highlighting the responsibility of the current administration.