Defence Minister Khawaja Asif addressed the National Assembly, asserting that the issue of refugee representation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) should not be influenced by street protests or political pressure. He firmly defended the constitutional status of refugee seats, stating that these seats exist because Kashmiri refugees have endured significant sacrifices.
He accused foreign-funded organizations of attempting to coerce Pakistan and insisted that the upcoming AJK elections must take place before any decisions regarding refugee seats are made. He emphasized that no rally or protest holds the authority to eliminate these seats.
Turning to parliamentary affairs, Khawaja Asif called for an end to the ongoing blame game among lawmakers. He stressed the importance of maintaining the dignity of the National Assembly and urged members to refrain from accusations that disregard their own past actions.
Highlighting Pakistan’s recent diplomatic achievements, he pointed to the Iran–US agreement as a significant success that has enhanced the country’s international standing. He encouraged unity in acknowledging positive developments despite internal differences. Notably, he referenced Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating the US President, while praising Pakistan’s leadership for overcoming a stronger adversary through the efforts of the prime minister and army chief.
Regarding Afghanistan, Khawaja Asif recalled his personal visits alongside the DG ISI and Pakistan’s long-standing engagement on terrorism issues. He noted Pakistan’s hospitality towards Afghan refugees for four decades but lamented the martyrdom of over 4,300 Pakistanis in the past three years due to cross-border terrorism. He criticized Afghanistan for failing to provide written security guarantees despite Pakistan’s willingness to cooperate, including financial support.
He expressed concern over regional security, pointing out that peace is being established globally except in Pakistan’s vicinity, with Afghanistan remaining a source of terrorism. He questioned who could guarantee that Afghan territory would not be used against Pakistan.
In a significant development, Khawaja Asif challenged the opposition to form a jirga to engage directly with Afghanistan on security matters, assuring Pakistan’s support for any credible guarantees. On the issue of Balochistan, he called for unity and collective responsibility, emphasizing the need for long-term political solutions acceptable to both Baloch and Pashtun communities to address the province’s insecurity.
