Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif Says US Should Kidnap Israeli PM Netanyahu

A political controversy has erupted after a viral video clip appeared to show Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif calling on the United States to “kidnap” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, triggering sharp reactions across diplomatic and social media circles.

The clip, which has been widely shared online, shows Asif making the remarks during what appears to be a televised interview. In the footage, he is heard launching a scathing attack on Netanyahu over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, describing him as the “biggest criminal of humanity.” The comments have drawn attention due to their provocative nature and the senior position held by Asif within Pakistan’s government.

The video carries a watermark from an X (formerly Twitter) account named “Pakistan Untold,” which describes itself as presenting Pakistan from a critical ideological lens. While the clip has gone viral and been circulated with screenshots from media coverage, its full context and authenticity have not been independently verified.

In the recording, Asif is quoted as saying that if the United States truly stands for human rights and humanitarian values, it should forcibly detain Netanyahu and bring him to justice. He reportedly drew a comparison with a past US operation involving the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, suggesting a similar approach could be applied to the Israeli Prime Minister.

The remarks reportedly did not stop there. Asif is also heard suggesting that Turkey could take similar action, adding that people in Pakistan should “pray” for such an outcome. These statements, if accurately represented, mark one of the strongest verbal attacks by a sitting Pakistani minister against Israel’s leadership.

The exchange is believed to have taken place during a live programme hosted by senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir. During the discussion, Mir appeared to interrupt Asif and call for a commercial break. Following the interruption, Mir reportedly indicated that Asif would not continue on air after the break, fuelling speculation that the remarks crossed editorial or legal boundaries.

The incident comes at a time of heightened global tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, with political leaders across regions taking increasingly polarised positions. While Pakistan does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, statements advocating abduction or extrajudicial actions have raised concerns about diplomatic norms and international law.

So far, there has been no official clarification from Asif or the Pakistani government regarding the viral clip. The lack of confirmation has not stopped the video from gaining traction, with critics accusing the defence minister of irresponsible rhetoric, while supporters argue the remarks reflect outrage over civilian casualties in Gaza.

As the clip continues to circulate, it has added another layer of strain to Pakistan’s international messaging, highlighting how off-the-cuff or emotionally charged statements by senior officials can quickly escalate into global controversies in the age of social media.