Punjab MPA Shoaib Siddiqui launched a scathing attack on Defence Minister Khawaja Asif after his criticism of Abdul Aleem Khan, escalating the political war of words.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES
A fresh political row has erupted after Punjab Assembly member Shoaib Siddiqui responded sharply to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s criticism of Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, accusing the senior PML-N leader of hypocrisy and making allegations related to past elections.
The exchange began after Khawaja Asif questioned Aleem Khan’s position in the federal government following the minister’s recent remarks. In a social media post, Asif said that if Aleem Khan had any “self-respect,” he should resign from the cabinet and sit on the opposition benches instead of remaining part of the government.
Asif also challenged Aleem Khan to translate his statements into action.
علیم خان صاحب کے پاس self respect نامی کوئ چیز ھے تو اس بیان کے ساتھ استعفیٰ دیں اور حکومت مخالف بینچوں پہ بیٹھنے کا اعلان کریں ۔ حوصلہ کریں ۔ صرف بیان نہ دیں ۔ راوی کنارے لوگ جنکو چونا لگا ھے وہ پچھلے سال سے رو رہے ھیں ۔ اسمبلی کا اجلاس آنے والا ھے۔ دیکھتے ھیں صرف بھڑکیں ھیں… pic.twitter.com/ot4V1Kb5pC
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) July 30, 2026
“Have the courage. Don’t just issue statements,” Asif wrote, adding that those affected by the Ravi River project had been suffering for the past year. He said the upcoming National Assembly session would reveal whether the remarks were merely rhetoric or whether Aleem Khan would resign to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir and those displaced by the Ravi riverside project.
The defense minister concluded by saying that politics sometimes demands “shame and dignity.”
Responding to the remarks, Shoaib Siddiqui launched a strongly worded rebuttal, questioning Khawaja Asif’s moral authority to lecture others on honor and principles.
In his statement, Siddiqui claimed that a “frail 80-year-old mother” had defeated Asif in an election and alleged that the minister should first apologize to the people of Sialkot before advising others.
He further alleged that Khawaja Asif had sought electoral support during the 2018 general elections from Ijaz Amjad, the father-in-law of former army chief Gen. (retd.) Qamar Javed Bajwa. Siddiqui also questioned whom Asif allegedly sought support from during the 2024 elections.
The Punjab lawmaker further alleged that Khawaja Asif had won both the 2018 and 2024 elections through rigging and urged him to “account for himself” before criticizing political opponents.
Siddiqui also said Asif should apologize to his constituents before speaking about honor, dignity and political ethics.
As of publication, Khawaja Asif has not publicly responded to Siddiqui’s allegations.
The claims made by Shoaib Siddiqui regarding the 2018 and 2024 elections and his allegations against Khawaja Asif have not been independently verified, and no evidence was provided to support them.
The latest exchange reflects growing tensions between leaders of different coalition partners and opposition figures as political rhetoric intensifies ahead of the upcoming parliamentary session.
