ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday criticised National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai over his recent remarks about the army, saying that the “irresponsible” statement was an attempt to “belittle the sacrifices” of security personnel.
Asif’s rebuke came during a session of the lower house of Parliament, where he recalled Achakzai’s recent remarks and quoted him as saying that the army was a “force of four districts”.
Asif did not elaborate on the context of the remarks attributed to Achakzai.
Terming it “highly irresponsible” and a “deliberate attempt to malign” the national institution, Asif asserted that army was a national force.
“It is the force of the federation, with representation from all provinces,” he stressed. “It is the force of entire Pakistan”.
He also highlighted that the armed forces had rendered several sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
“Over the past five years, 3,141 personnel, including officers, junior commissioned officers, and jawans have embraced martyrdom in this fight,” the defence minister said, adding that those martyrs were from all regions of the country.
He added that “opposition leader’s irresponsible statement is an attempt to belittle these sacrifices and tantamount to attacking public sentiments”.
The minister said that the opposition leader’s position was a respectable one and such statements were not expected from Achakzai.
He further asserted that the fight against terrorism was not confined to any particular province or district, but “is a collective struggle of the entire nation”.
“Martyrs are our red line … We are indebted to the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for our safety and protection”.
Asif went on to say, “We are in the middle of a very bloody war. Daily …”
At this point, the the NA’s live stream was interrupted for less than a minute. When the stream resumed, the defence minister was saying that “such attacks and behaviour, the spilling of blood is not allowed in our religion”.
He also claimed, “The bodies of our soldiers are decapitated after their martyrdom. This is also happening. It is happening in Tirah Valley.”
Turning his attention to politicians, he said, “We are fighting a war for our political interests. If someone says that we are fighting for the country, then they are wrong. We are fighting a war for our political interests and power. Over the past 60-70 years, whenever someone was deprived of power, they fought for it, and there were no underlying principles in that fight.
“And then a voice is raised in this house that it (army) is a force of four districts. I don’t want to use any strong words for this house as it has earned me immense respect.”
But, he continued, if an individual crossed a “line drawn with blood” while safeguarding their political interests, they had no right to “sit in this house”.
The defence minister also said that “no voice is raised from Balochistan when Punjabis are shot after their identity cards are checked … I don’t believe in provincial discrimination, but I take strong exception [to Achakzai’s remark]”.
More to follow
