Summary Khawaja Asif urges political parties to uphold Parliament’s dignity, avoid disrupting democratic institutions and reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to the Kashmir cause.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday called on all political parties to respect the sanctity of Parliament and ensure the smooth functioning of democratic institutions, stressing that political disputes should not undermine the legislature.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said leaders of major political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had endured imprisonment and political hardships in the past but never compromised on the dignity of Parliament.
He said that despite facing legal and political challenges, these leaders chose constitutional and legal forums to seek redress rather than disrupting state institutions. Referring to members of the Sharif family, he added that they had also faced legal proceedings without weakening the democratic system.
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Criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the minister said the party had disrupted parliamentary proceedings over the past two years by linking its participation in the House to the imprisonment of its leader. He maintained that institutions and the country were more important than individuals, saying personalities come and go, but Pakistan remains.
Khawaja Asif said political parties have every right to seek relief for their leaders through legal and political channels, but they should not obstruct parliamentary business or weaken democratic institutions. He emphasised that legislation is Parliament’s primary responsibility and urged lawmakers to keep protests within democratic limits.
The minister also claimed that many PTI lawmakers wanted the House to function smoothly, but repeated disruptions had affected Parliament’s credibility.
Addressing the Kashmir issue and the voting rights of Kashmiri refugees, he said Pakistan and the Kashmiri people had made immense sacrifices for the cause, describing it as a national issue rather than one concerning Kashmiris alone.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to Kashmir, he said thousands of security personnel continue to safeguard the country’s borders and that Pakistan would continue supporting the Kashmiri cause for generations, recalling Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s description of Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein.”
