Kh Asif calls for national unity to defeat terrorism and back Pakistan Army

• Defence minister urges federal and provincial governments to rise above politics and stand with martyrs’ families
• Says Armed Forces earned global respect through professionalism and sacrifices, proposes new delegation to Afghanistan
• PTI, JUI lawmakers express solidarity with armed forces, vowing united stance against terror

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to defending its territory and eradicating terrorism through national unity, urging all federal and provincial governments to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army and the families of martyrs.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly amid growing security concerns, the minister stressed that countering terrorism required a united front that transcended political, regional, and ideological divides.

“Our political matters—whether related to Karachi, Sialkot, or Peshawar—can wait for another day. Today, our collective focus must be on eliminating this menace once and for all,” he asserted.

Mr Asif emphasized that national security should remain above partisan politics, reminding lawmakers that Pakistan’s Armed Forces had not only safeguarded the nation’s borders in wars with India but also earned international recognition for professionalism and courage.

“Our forces have proved their mettle both at home and abroad, and it is our moral duty to stand firmly beside them,” he said.

Paying tribute to the fallen heroes, the minister said their sacrifices had brought dignity and honour to the nation. “We can proudly say that our Armed Forces have once again demonstrated their strategic superiority—India still bears the scars of its defeats,” he remarked.

He noted that Pakistan’s growing international recognition—from the Gulf region to major powers such as the United States—was a result of the armed forces’ sacrifices and the resilience of its people. “At the recent United Nations session, there was a renewed pride in Pakistan’s stature,” he observed.

Expressing grief over the martyrdom of two officers and nine soldiers in recent terrorist attacks, Kh Asif urged the nation to honour their memory through unity. Recalling his meeting with the mother of a martyred soldier, he said, “She told me with unwavering faith that if she had more sons, she would have sacrificed them too for Pakistan. This spirit is our true strength.”

Referring to cross-border terrorism, the minister recounted his earlier discussions with Afghan authorities during his visit to Kabul three years ago. “We candidly told them that their soil was being used for terrorism against Pakistan and urged them to dismantle these sanctuaries,” he said.

He revealed that Afghan officials had sought financial assistance to relocate militants to western provinces, but Pakistan demanded firm guarantees they would not return—a condition Kabul failed to meet.

He proposed sending a delegation to Afghanistan “within a day or two” to press for decisive action against terrorist safe havens operating from across the border.

During the session, the House also offered Fateha for the 11 soldiers martyred in Orakzai district. Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah requested MNA Ali Muhammad Khan to lead the prayer.

Former Speaker Asad Qaiser, representing PTI, paid rich tribute to the martyrs, reiterating that his party stood with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism. “We consider this country our own, and the Armed Forces are ours. We salute their sacrifices,” he said.

MNA Amir Dogar highlighted that over the past 25 years, Pakistan—particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan—had lost nearly 90,000 lives to terrorism, including soldiers, police, and civilians. “The entire nation stands united behind its armed forces in this fight for Pakistan’s stability and survival,” he added.

JUI-F lawmaker Shahida Akhtar also called for a unified stance against terrorism, saying political rivalries must be set aside. “The martyr’s death is the life of the nation,” she said. “This House should not only unite in times of external threats or disasters but also for the welfare and stability of Pakistan.”