Islamabad (Pakistan News): In the National Assembly, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif strongly criticized Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s remarks regarding the Pakistan Army, calling them irresponsible. He emphasized that the army is not the force of any four districts—it is the national army of the entire country.
Khawaja Asif stated that in the past five years, 3,341 personnel have been martyred, with officers and soldiers from Kashmir, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh sacrificing their lives. He added that the army continues to bear losses daily in the fight against terrorism, noting that over 200 terrorists have been killed in Balochistan alone.
The Defense Minister highlighted that the army fulfills its oath with its blood, and Islam does not permit unlawful bloodshed. He contrasted the army with politicians, saying that while politicians work for their parties and interests, the army has never changed loyalties.
Khawaja Asif also presented the provincial composition of the Pakistan Army: Punjab 51.1%, Sindh 20.52%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 16.28%, Balochistan 6.04%, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan 2.4%, and minorities 3.52%.
Regarding Afghanistan, he said that migration of Afghan citizens has ended and the country now has its own government. He stressed that Pakistan does not consider Afghanistan as strategic depth or a fifth province and seeks to maintain peaceful relations.
He urged the opposition leader to express opinions freely but refrain from attacking the Pakistan Army, emphasizing that the sacrifices of the military belong to the nation, not any single province or district.
