Khawaja Asif Faces Criticism Over Gesture Toward Afghan Journalist at UNGA

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Photo credit: Kuhlmann /MSC / Wikimedia commons.

NEW YORK, September 27, 2026: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has faced criticism on social media after an exchange with an Afghan woman journalist on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

According to a video of the interaction and reports citing ANI, the journalist questioned Asif about Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban and its position on the treatment of Afghan women. She asked what message Pakistan had for the Taliban regarding their policies toward women and why Islamabad had not challenged those policies earlier when the Taliban were regarded as friends.

Asif did not directly answer the question. Instead, he interrupted the journalist and pointed toward her clothing before saying, “Don’t go back like this over there. They will… otherwise they will…” while moving his hand across his neck.

The gesture subsequently attracted criticism on social media. Some users interpreted the movement across the neck as implying a threat of serious violence if the journalist returned to Afghanistan in that manner. However, reports also note that Asif did not explicitly say that he would kill the journalist, meaning the interpretation of the gesture remains a matter of how viewers understood his actions. 

The exchange has also drawn attention because the journalist’s question was specifically focused on the treatment of Afghan women under Taliban rule and Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban. Social media users criticised what they viewed as an inappropriate response to a question concerning women’s rights. 

The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to the ANI report, Pakistan recently carried out what it described as precision aerial and drone strikes at 10 locations inside Afghanistan. Pakistan said the action was in response to drones launched from Afghanistan, while Afghan authorities condemned the strikes and described them as aggression.

The wider dispute between the two neighbouring countries has included continuing accusations and military confrontations along their border. The latest diplomatic tensions have added sensitivity to public comments by senior Pakistani officials regarding Afghanistan and the Taliban.

The video of the exchange has circulated widely online, prompting renewed discussion about how senior officials respond to journalists’ questions, particularly when those questions concern women’s rights and regional policy.

As of the latest reports, there has been no indication that Asif has issued a separate clarification of the gesture. The criticism is primarily based on the interpretation of the video and reactions posted on social media. 

Key Facts

• Who: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

• Where: New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly

• Who questioned him: An Afghan woman journalist

• Subject: Taliban policies toward Afghan women and Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban

• Response: Asif pointed toward her attire and made a hand gesture across his neck

• Reaction: The gesture was criticised by social media users

• Important: A direct threat to kill the journalist was not explicitly stated in the reported exchange.