Notably, the remark had originally been used by Asif years ago to mock his political rivals—only for Rehman to turn it back on him, questioning why the defence minister was absent from major international security talks while the army chief attended.

Why was the defence minister missing?

Rehman’s remarks came after a high-level meeting in Tehran, Iran, on October 26. During the meeting, leaders and security officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran discussed peace and security in the region. Instead of the Defence Minister, Islamabad was represented at the meeting by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir.

In his speech, Rehman asked why the army chief was travelling abroad for diplomatic talks while the minister responsible for defence was present in Parliament. He accused the government of making ministers look weak while military officials took major decisions.

The story behind the viral phrase

The exchange became popular online because of the history behind Asif’s words.

In April 2015, Khawaja Asif used the “Koi sharam hoti hai” line to criticise lawmakers from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who had returned to Parliament after boycotting it for several months.

Over the years, the clip became a widely shared meme on social media in Pakistan and India. On Wednesday, the joke reversed, and Asif had to listen as Rehman used his own words against him.

Asif says his presence was not needed

Responding in the National Assembly on Thursday, Asif rejected claims that the military was making secret deals without the defence minister.

He said the Tehran meeting was about regional peace talks and did not involve work that falls under his ministry. Asif added that the army chief went to Iran to help bring different countries to the negotiating table, so his own presence was not necessary.

Asif also criticised Rehman’s political record and accused him of using the sensitive international meeting to gain political points at home.