Resolution honors martyrs as opposition clashes over army, quorum and new laws in NA
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif addresses 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 the Pakistan Army does not belong to any single province or district but represents the entire nation.
Reacting to remarks by opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who reportedly said the army belongs to only four districts, Asif said: “While Mahmood Achakzai may have his views, he should not attack the military. 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 workers have been martyred in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.
“In this war against terrorism, we are suffering losses every day,” he added.
Providing figures from 2021 to February 2026, Asif said: “From 2021 to February 2026, 170 officers have given their lives. Junior officers have given 212 and soldiers 2,759 martyrdoms.”
He said Azad Jammu and Kashmir accounted for 2,034 deaths. “From Balochistan our forces have given 103 martyrs, and from Gilgit-Baltistan 161. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has seen 534, Punjab 1,657 and Sindh 452 casualties of our armed forces.”
Asif criticized what he called irresponsible statements by the opposition. “The Leader of the Opposition is a national office. Such an irresponsible statement belittles that position. This is a war for the entire nation, not a single district.”
Read: Speaker accepts Akhtar Mengal’s resignation from National Assembly
He warned lawmakers against putting politics above national unity. “Don’t cross the line drawn in 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 over attacks on Punjabis in Balochistan. “When Punjabis are shot, there is rarely any outcry from Balochistan.”
He added: “Those who sacrifice do not question; their first and last loyalty is to their country.”
Referring to Afghan migration, Asif said: “A foreigner is no longer at the helm of Afghanistan; it is their own government made by Afghans, so they should return. The causes of Afghan migration have ended.”
“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 Parliament: “Pakistan is our country. We want our share in terms of population. We want our share in governance.”
Criticizing earlier remarks about ethnic groups and provinces, he said: “When you call Afghanistan the fifth province, your conditions cannot be right. You had said Bengalis are not fit for the army.”
“You gave us punishments for supporting democracy. You caused the economic self-destruction of the Pashtuns,” he said, adding that he would continue to advocate for democracy.
Read more: An absent parliament
He questioned whether certain actions were meant to make martial law acceptable and hailed armed forces personnel who “operate within the bounds of the Constitution.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Barrister Gohar also criticized the government’s approach. “Why are you dragging the army into politics? You talked about giving Bajwa a seat and then branded him a traitor,” he said.
“The federal minister claims that PTI is behind terrorism. Wherever terrorists are, they are our enemies. Our homes were occupied and we are traitors? Those who speak against the army are you.”
Gohar accused Asif of giving an interview to a foreign TV channel against the army and attacking the judiciary. “In the Kulbhushan case at the International Court of Justice, India took your stand. Do not use the shoulders of the armed forces for political gain. Today Khawaja Asif has created division,” he said.
Parliament unanimously passed a resolution honoring the sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism. The resolution was moved 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 in Pakistan Bill 2026, the National Guard House of Pakistan Bill 2026, and the New Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026.
However, opposition members expressed concerns about quorum. Opposition member Iqbal Afridi said quorum legislation was unconstitutional and walked out after pointing out that only 66 members were present when 86 were required.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam also opposed the legislation.
The speaker said, “The quorum has already been identified and counted,” and the proceedings continued. Six bills were passed within eight minutes without a quorum.
The session was later adjourned until 11 on February 12.
