Resolution honors martyrs as opposition clashes over military, quorum and new laws in NA
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif speaking during the National Assembly session on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. PHOTO: Facebook/National Assembly of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly on Wednesday that Pakistan Army does not belong to any province or district but represents the entire nation.
Responding to remarks by Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who reportedly said the army belonged to only four districts, Asif said: “While Mahmood Achakzai may have his views, he should not attack the army. The Pakistan Army is not the army of any province or district. Its character is national.”
He said that in the last five years, 3,141 personnel were martyred in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.
“In this war against terrorism, we suffer losses every day,” he added.
Providing figures from 2021 to February 2026, Asif said, “From 2021 to February 2026, 170 officers gave their lives. Junior officers gave 212 and soldiers martyred 2,759.”
He said Azad Jammu and Kashmir accounted for 2,034 deaths. “In Balochistan, our forces gave 103 martyrs and Gilgit-Baltistan 161. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa saw 534, Punjab 1,657 and Sindh 452 sacrifices by our armed forces. »
Asif criticized what he called irresponsible statements by the opposition. “The Opposition Leader is a national office. Such an irresponsible statement belittles this position. This is a war of the entire nation, not a single district.”
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He warned lawmakers against putting politics above national unity. “Don’t cross the line drawn with blood to protect personal politics. Mahmood Khan Achakzai can be imitated, but I have a long-standing relationship with him,” he said.
The minister said that no place was safe and even mosques were no longer safe. He also questioned the lack of response to attacks on Punjabis in Balochistan. “When Punjabis are shot, there are rarely protests in Balochistan. »
He added: “Those who sacrifice do not question; their first and last loyalty is to their country. »
Referring to Afghan migration, Asif said: “It is no longer a foreigner who rules Afghanistan; it is their own government made up of Afghans, so they should come back. The reasons for Afghan migration are gone.”
“Every province has shed blood in the fight against terrorism. We have no differences regarding the Constitution and principles. We will account for every drop of our blood,” he said.
Earlier, Achakzai told the House: “Pakistan is our country. We want our share based on population. We want our share in governance.”
He criticized past remarks on ethnic groups and provinces, saying: “When you call Afghanistan the fifth province, your relations cannot be good. You had said that Bengalis are not fit for the army.”
“You punished us for supporting democracy. You brought about the economic self-destruction of the Pashtuns,” he said, adding that he would continue to speak out in favor of democracy.
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He questioned whether any actions were aimed at making martial law acceptable and praised armed forces personnel who “operate within the bounds of the constitution.”
Barr Gohar, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, also criticized the government’s approach. “Why are you dragging the army into politics? You talked about giving a seat to Bajwa and then called him a traitor,” he said.
“The federal minister claims that PTI is behind terrorism. Wherever the terrorists are, they are our enemies. Our homes have been occupied and we are traitors? Those who speak against the army are you.”
Gohar accused Asif of giving an interview to a foreign television channel against the army and attacking the judiciary. “In the Kulbhushan case before the International Court of Justice, India took your stand. Do not use the shoulders of the armed forces for political purposes. Today, Khawaja Asif has created division,” he said.
The House unanimously passed a resolution honoring the sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces in the fight against terrorism. The resolution was presented by Asif.
The assembly also passed several bills introduced by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, including the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Narcotics Control and Disciplinary Authority (Amendment) Bill, the Prohibition of Unauthorized Use of Names and Symbols of Pakistan Bill 2026, the National Guard Documents (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the new Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill. 2026.
However, opposition MPs expressed concerns about the quorum. Opposition MP Iqbal Afridi said legislation without a quorum was unconstitutional and resigned after pointing out that only 66 members were present when 86 were needed.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam also opposed the legislation.
The speaker said, “Quorum has already been identified and counted,” and discussions continued. Six bills were passed in eight minutes without a quorum.
The session was then adjourned until 11 a.m. on February 12.
