Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif criticised Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), saying political parties should consider their past decisions and policies when discussing national security matters rather than absolving themselves of responsibility.
He said the government had attempted to resolve the issues through negotiations before considering emergency measures. According to Asif, the talks were intended to address terrorism, restore law and order and improve cooperation among state institutions, but the gravity of the situation forced the government to consider extraordinary steps.
Referring to the previous government’s tenure, the defence minister said the issue of bringing militants back to Pakistan had been supported in the same assembly in the presence of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former Inter-Services Intelligence chief General Faiz Hameed.
He said political parties should also answer questions about their previous positions and decisions when debating national security. Asif also referred to the return of Indian pilot Abhinandan, arguing that past events should be considered when discussing state decisions and security matters.
The minister said PTI had governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for an extended period and that its performance, administrative decisions and policies should also be examined when assessing the province’s security situation. He argued that responsibility for tackling terrorism should not be placed solely on the federal government or security institutions.
Asif also discussed the facilities provided to PTI founder Imran Khan in prison. He said PML-N leaders had faced difficulties during their imprisonment but had not resorted to protests at D-Chowk or violence to secure their release. He called for political disagreements to be expressed without disrupting public order.
Referring to recent negotiations, the defence minister said the government had shown flexibility on various issues in an effort to reach an agreement. He maintained that a joint strategy against terrorism should have been the central priority of the talks.
Asif also addressed criticism by the Taliban over the emergency decision and the deployment of the army in certain areas. He said Pakistan needed a clear position against those opposing the state and those involved in terrorism, adding that attacks had claimed the lives of Pakistani citizens, including children.
The defence minister said countering terrorism required more than security operations, stressing the importance of effective administration, political cooperation and restoring public confidence. He called on all relevant institutions to fulfil their responsibilities within their respective constitutional mandates.
Asif concluded by urging political parties to set aside their differences and agree on a common strategy to combat terrorism and protect national security.
