NA house sees uproar over Asif’s claim during budget debate

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s budget debate took a contentious turn on Tuesday after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said some legislation in the past had been discussed in meetings attended by intelligence officials, prompting sharp reactions from the opposition during a stormy sitting chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Asif said lawmakers had previously worked on legislation in the presence of Inter-Services Intelligence personnel. He specifically referred to meetings held at the residence of former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, where, he said, individuals sent by former DG ISI General Faiz took part in discussions linked to legislation.

Asif said those meetings involved deliberations on multiple legal measures, including amendments to anti-money laundering laws, and stated that intelligence officials had also offered input on the direction of legislation. Referring to those past interactions, he said: "We used to legislate in the presence of ISI officers."

"I admit that at Asad Qaiser's house, we used to fine-tune laws in the presence of ISI officers. I want to lighten the burden of my conscience by speaking the truth," he added.

Opposition attacks government and institutions

The opposition benches reacted strongly during the wider budget discussion, with PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar Khan delivering a forceful criticism of the government’s governance record and the broader institutional environment. He alleged that politicians often praised institutional leaders because they hoped to benefit from the same arrangement later.

Junaid Akbar Khan also claimed that Pakistan had spent four years under what he described as an establishment-imposed government. He criticised the finance minister and said the ruling setup had lost touch with ordinary people. He further alleged that even the prime minister could only function after obtaining permission.

The PTI lawmaker said constitutional norms and respect for institutions had been eroded, while those who raised dissent were being disqualified. He also questioned the delivery of justice and said: "then the judiciary should be shut down because the people cannot bear its extravagant expenditures."

Treasury benches defend leadership

Responding to the opposition’s criticism, PPP lawmaker Abdul Qadir Patel said appreciation for institutional leadership was rooted in performance rather than loyalty. He said Pakistan’s political and military leadership had played an important role in international developments and added that the country had helped avert a broader global conflict.

Patel praised Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and called him a hero, saying he was a hero whether others accepted it or not. He also dismissed accusations that the PPP had engaged in political bargaining, maintaining that the party acted only in the national interest.

Asif, meanwhile, also spoke in support of Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements. He said the country had secured results in Iran-US diplomacy and regional security matters that, in his words, no one had expected. He praised coordination between the political and security leadership at a time of heightened regional challenges and said such institutional alignment should be acknowledged rather than criticised.