Achakzai extends ‘unconditional support’ to govt’s Middle East peace push

• Opposition Leader in NA Achakzai lauds Pakistan’s role in US–Iran ceasefire, praises Iran’s stance

• Says ‘only a mad person would not be happy with today’s success of Pakistan’

• Reiterates calls for Nawaz, Zardari, Imran to sit together for national unity, saying he, along with Allama Nasir Abbas, would ‘persuade PTI founder to engage in political dialogue’

• PTI cancels April 9 public gathering on Imran Khan’s instructions

 ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Wednesday extended “unconditional support” to the government in its efforts to “mediate peace in the Middle East,” while reiterating his call for former premier Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Imran Khan to “come together in the current situation to move the country forward.”

“We will provide you unconditional support and are ready to hold talks with the government. Parliament should be the source of power and the centre for decision-making and policy formulation,” Achakzai, chairman of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP), declared while responding to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s speech in the National Assembly, in which he requested the opposition to postpone its protest planned for Thursday.

Achakzai recalled his call on Tuesday for former premier Nawaz Sharif, President Zardari, and Imran Khan to sit together and move the country forward. He added that he, along with Senate Opposition Leader Allama Nasir Abbas, would “persuade Imran Khan to engage in political dialogue.”

“I had also said earlier that we should not point fingers at each other. At the very least, we should agree on democratic principles,” he stated.

Amid desk-thumping in the assembly, Achakzai praised the government’s mediatory role in the Middle East crisis. “I don’t know why you think we are mad. Only a mad person would not be happy with today’s success of Pakistan,” he said, noting that US President Donald Trump had already stated he had achieved his objectives in the war with Iran.

He lauded Iran for upholding the honour of all Muslims and suggested that Trump engage in dialogue with all nations. “If we talk about destroying civilisations, why do we criticise Adolf Hitler and Mussolini?” he asked, adding that both Trump and Iran trusted Pakistan to deliver messages effectively. “Nature gave us an opportunity, and we handled it well,” he said.

 PTI Calls Off April 9 Protest

Separately, after talks with government representatives, PTI Chairman National Assembly Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that on Imran Khan’s instructions, the party had cancelled its public gathering planned for Thursday.

“There come moments of unity in the life of nations. We appreciate all those who played a role in achieving the ceasefire,” Gohar said. He added that Pakistan had prevented the Muslim world from descending into internal conflict and expressed hope that the ceasefire would evolve into a permanent cessation of hostilities.

“Setting aside our grievances, we are moving forward for the sake of the country,” he stated, while also referring to Imran Khan’s health challenges and the legal hurdles faced by his family.

Defence Minister Hails Pakistan’s Role

During the session, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif praised Pakistan’s instrumental role in securing a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

“European countries, our brotherly Muslim nations, and friends in the region and beyond are praising our leadership — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir,” he said. Highlighting the unity between civilian and defence leadership, he added, “In the past, many tragedies could have been prevented if such coordination had existed.”

He lauded the vision of Pakistan’s leadership in achieving this milestone, calling it a historical moment and a “dividend of our unity, cohesion, and synchronisation.” He noted that even nations unaware of Pakistan’s location on the map are acknowledging the country’s role.

The Defence Minister emphasized that this diplomatic achievement reflects the ability of Pakistan’s leadership to stop international conflicts, particularly those involving the Zionist regime, and urged the Muslim world to recognise that Pakistan’s eternal adversaries remain India and Israel.