Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency meeting to develop a joint strategy in response to Israel\u2019s ongoing aggression.
\nSpeaking in the National Assembly, the minister condemned Israel\u2019s brutal actions, especially its military aggression against Iran.
\nHe called it a serious threat to regional and global peace. \u201cPalestinian children are being killed, yet there are more protests in non-Muslim countries than in Muslim nations,\u201d he remarked with regret.
\nHe said Iran is not just a neighbour but a brotherly country with deep-rooted ties with Pakistan.
\nHe warned that if the Muslim world doesn\u2019t act together, every country will eventually become a target. \u201cThe way Israel has targeted Yemen, Iran, and Palestine shows a larger plan. Most Muslim nations are already facing security risks. Strong leadership is needed now,\u201d he said.
\nKhawja Asif said, \u201cIsrael has innocent blood on its hands. Pakistan stands firmly with Iran and will continue to support it on international forums,\u201d he said.
\nThe minister referred to India\u2019s recent aggression, saying it had faced consequences. \u201cIndia\u2019s false pride has been broken, and their leadership is now embarrassed at home. This was only possible due to our strong military and the unity of our people,\u201d he said.
\nHe praised the armed forces and the people for standing firm in the face of threats. \u201cWe proved to the world that Pakistan is not weak \u2014 not yesterday, not today,\u201d he declared. He said enemies tried to weaken Pakistan, but their plans failed.
\nHe highlighted how the world was closely watching Pakistan\u2019s coastal borders during recent tensions, and how Pakistan\u2019s armed forces defended the nation bravely. \u201cOur navy\u2019s response forced the enemy to retreat,\u201d he said.
\nThe defence minister said that while Pakistan\u2019s military strength is commendable, the economy must also be strong.
\nHe praised Pakistan\u2019s youth, especially cyber experts, for delivering a strong blow to India during a recent cyber conflict. \u201cOur young people shut down lights in stadiums, disrupted IPL matches, and even affected dams. Their skills surprised the world,\u201d he said.
\nHe added that the recent military operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a turning point, both strategically and for national morale. He said Pakistan\u2019s response to Indian attacks was firm and timely. \u201cWe struck back with full force,\u201d he said.
\nKhawaja Asif also spoke about Pakistan\u2019s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. \u201cOur soldiers and civilians have lost lives in attacks, especially in Balochistan. Groups like the TTP and BLA are fighting India\u2019s war on our soil,\u201d he claimed.
\nHe strongly condemned anyone who supports these militants. \u201cSuch people are not Pakistanis. They are enemies of the country,\u201d he said.
\nHe insisted that while political problems should be solved through dialogue, foreign interference, especially from India, must not be taken lightly. \u201cPakistan\u2019s unity \u2014 from Balochistan to Punjab \u2014 is our top priority,\u201d he added.
\nThe defence minister said politics should be based on ideology, not individuals. \u201cNo person is bigger than the country. Leaders come and go, but the nation and its values remain,\u201d he said.
\nHe criticized those who reduce politics to personal legacy. \u201cPolitical parties that are built on ideas survive even after their leaders are gone,\u201d he said. He gave examples of political martyrs in Pakistan whose parties lived on because of their beliefs, not their names.
\nHe praised the role of Pakistani youth in the fight against terrorism. \u201cNations are built through the sacrifices of martyrs, not by worshipping individuals,\u201d he said. The strength of a country, he said, comes from unity, not division.
\nTurning to the economy, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan suffers huge losses due to tax evasion, especially in sectors like tobacco, real estate, steel, and tyres. \u201cWe lose around Rs 300 billion annually in tobacco taxes alone,\u201d he said.
\nHe acknowledged that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made some improvements, but much more needs to be done. \u201cIf we can just improve our tax collection by 50%, we wouldn\u2019t need foreign loans,\u201d he noted.
\nHe demanded accountability and urged the finance ministry and FBR to brief the parliament on the people behind large-scale tax evasion.
\n \u201cWe need honesty in governance. Only then can we provide real relief to the people,\u201d he said.
\nHe gave the example of how public shops in Punjab are rented for very low rates, while private shops in the same area earn ten times more. \u201cThis has continued for decades without accountability,\u201d he pointed out.
\nHe called for a national campaign to end corruption, particularly in sectors dominated by a few corrupt families.
\nKhawaja Asif praised Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, calling him a professional and experienced person. He credited him for bringing back international trust in Pakistan\u2019s economy.
\nHe shared encouraging economic data: GDP growth improved from -0.2% to +2.7%, inflation dropped to 4.6%, and the current account posted a $1.2 billion surplus. Foreign investment rose by 20%.
\nHe admitted that the public may still be feeling economic pressure but said positive changes are happening. \u201cThe business community is showing more confidence, and the stock market recently hit a historic 125,000-point high,\u201d he said.
\nHe criticized those who now attack the government\u2019s economic policy but had once urged the IMF not to support Pakistan. \u201cThese people tried to sabotage our economy,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cPakistan is not about any one person. It is a mission, a belief, and a shared history,\u201d he added. He urged political leaders to rise above personal ambitions and serve the nation with sincerity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency meeting to develop a joint strategy in response to Israel\u2019s ongoing aggression. Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister condemned Israel\u2019s brutal actions, especially its military aggression against Iran. He called it a serious threat […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":458103,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-484172","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n