NAP operations to continue without interruption: Talal Chaudhry

Prime Minister of Interior Talal Chaudhry on Thursday excluded the possibility of new military operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and maintained that the ongoing terrorist efforts under National Action Plan (NAP) would continue without interruption.

Reply to concerns raised by Pakistan Tehreek-in-Insaf (PTI) Legislator Asad Qaiser and Pakistan Peoples Part (PPP) MNA Shazia Marri during a National Assembly Session, President of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, made it clear that the state’s decision to combat terrorism remained unpublished. “Let me be ready, nap operations will not be stopped by anyone no matter who they are,” he claimed.

In a sharp criticism of the PTI policies, Chaudhry questioned the party’s past behavior. “Who brought TTP back? Which cm said, ‘We’re not fighting or we end up like PPP or ANP’?” He asked.

ALSO READ: Khawaja Asif Buses Rumor of Rumors

When he talked about protests from PTI August 5, the minister defended the government’s security measures, including the closure of parliament’s gates.

He quoted enforcement of section 144 and a large collection of near D-CHOWK as valid concerns. “Parliament’s gates were closed to incoming crowds, not outgoing MNAs that went out without hindrance,” he managed.

With regard to the PTI protest participation, the minister neglected his scale. “In Islamabad, fewer than 100 protesters were assembled and even they were detained cards. No MNAs were arrested. In Punjab, 94 people were detained by a population of 130 million,” he said, adding that most protests were symbolic and ended quickly.

Chaudhry rejected PTI’s tale of the events on May 9 and reiterated that popularity does not give immunity from the law. “Those who attacked state symbols made it for political gain and are now facing legal consequences,” he said.

“Those who set fire to monuments made it to future election tickets, and now they face the consequences. Courts in Punjab and Peshawar are issuing decisions – what more justice do you want?”

During the session, PPPS Marri raised the question of Pilgrims (Zaireen), traveling along the way to participate in the Arbaeen walk under Chehlum. She expressed concern that a ban on land trips had left nearly 200,000 pilgrims stranded as financial restrictions prevent them from giving air travel.

“I ask the government to arrange some subsidized flights to pilgrims that can’t afford flights,” she said.

In response to her concerns, Chaudhry confirmed that Land Travel for Arbaeen pilgrims via Iran had been suspended due to regional tensions originating from the Israeli-IRan conflict.

He said the Ministry of the Interior and provincial authorities were engaged in dialogue with protesting pilgrims and leadership of Majlis Wahdat-E-Muslime (MWM).

Read: At least four killed in Wana Ied Blast

He informed Parliament that a delegation had met the ministry’s officials last Thursday, and further talks were recently held with MWM management engineer Raja Nasir Abbas.

“I’m ready to visit Karachi for continued negotiations,” he said, adding that Sindh and Balochistan government was fully adjusted and the Sindh Governor was in close contact with the protesters.

The Minister also shared that the Prime Minister had instructed the Minister of Defense to secure the relief of pilgrims via air travel. “We have increased the number of flights and committed foreign airlines, including Iranian and Iraqi carriers, to improve capacity. Discussions are also underway to reduce prices,” he said.

During the session, PPPS suggested Syed Naveed Qamar Klause-for-Klause changes to Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill 2025 for the purpose of facilitating the smooth movement of goods and people across the country’s borders. These changes were thoroughly discussed and ultimately approved by the National Assembly.

Qamar expressed that PPP had reservations regarding several clauses in the bill and proposed a host of improvements to improve the effectiveness of the authority.

He emphasized that the purpose of the bill was to promote trade facilitation and transform border crossings into inviting points rather than scare barriers that discourage cross -border traffic.

After the changes were approved, Chaudhry moved the bill on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. After detailed considerations, Parliament unanimously adopted Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025.