Opposition raises rights and governance concerns as government defends security record
ISLAMABAD:
A heated exchange between the government and opposition marred proceedings in the National Assembly on Monday during the debate on the interior ministry’s budget and suppression motions, as lawmakers sparred over human rights, security operations and political accountability in a packed session in Islamabad.
The session, chaired by President Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, saw repeated interruptions as opposition members questioned the government’s record on governance and civil liberties, while the Treasury benches defended security gains and institutional performance in multiple sectors.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry led the government’s defense of the ministry, saying it bore responsibility for 501 martyrs and several ghazis. He said 1,020 personnel were martyred during counter-terrorism operations.
He said 3,355 terrorist incidents were reported during the period, of which around 95 per cent occurred in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Leader of Opposition Barrister Gohar Khan, speaking during the debate, expressed concerns over political victimization and alleged human rights violations over the past four years. He said such practices undermined democratic norms and institutional trust.
Criticizing the government, he warned against using the events of May 9 for political victimization, arguing that legal proceedings should not be influenced by political considerations.
Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar responded by saying that two opposition members had been represented in the JCP. He also criticized the opposition for boycotting key meetings and said important criminal law reforms remained pending at committee stage.
Meanwhile, JUI-F MP Noor Alam Khan highlighted the deteriorating security situation, saying terrorism had badly affected KP and Balochistan, and urged that no distinction should be made between different categories of terrorists.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly approved grant requests worth over Rs10,414 billion covering 32 ministries and divisions. A total of 135 demands were adopted, while 587 motions to suppress the opposition were rejected by majority.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the budget requests for approval, with opposition members submitting several motions for reductions in key ministries, including 90 against the Cabinet Division, 116 against the Energy Division and 100 against the Finance Division.
