CIA designed Afghan jihad curriculum for Pakistan: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that thousands of madrassas in Islamabad have been constructed on illegally occupied land.

Speaking to the media, he said that in the past, the curriculum was designed to support the so-called Afghan jihad, and that that curriculum had been provided by the American spy agency CIA.

“In the 1980s, the Afghan war did not serve our interests but advanced the strategic goals of the United States,” he said.

He stressed the urgent need for a uniform education curriculum across the country.

Khawaja Asif also said that for the nation’s progress, everyone must play their part, and the country must remain united against Indian aggression.

He highlighted the work of the committee that drafted the 18th Amendment, which had been honoured for its efforts. “Democratic stability is not possible without devolving powers to the lower levels, and democracy cannot progress without the distribution of authority,” he said.

He emphasised the need for transfer of powers and funds from the federal government to lower tiers, noting that past military rulers had introduced the local government system, and “without strengthening local governance, democracy cannot be robust.”

He added that the 18th Amendment includes provisions for devolution of powers.