ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (Alliance News): Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif strongly criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s statement about holding direct dialogue with Afghanistan, calling it an attack on the federation.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif emphasized that no province has the authority to engage directly with foreign countries.
He praised the Speaker of the National Assembly for ensuring the supremacy of Parliament and highlighted that the Sunni Ittehad Council retained representation due to the Speaker’s production orders.
He urged the continuation of this parliamentary tradition, recalling that during the PTI regime, the former Speaker denied production orders for arrested members.
Asif condemned the victimization carried out by the PTI government, referencing the arrests of prominent figures, including Rana Sanaullah Khan, Maryam Nawaz, Shehbaz Sharif, and Asif Ali Zardari’s sister, on fabricated charges.
He called for fostering political tolerance and noted that the PTI had been consulted on key legislation during the PDM government.
In response, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub thanked Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for issuing production orders for detained members. Other members, including Rana Ansar and Asad Qaiser, raised concerns about labor rights and the victimization of PTI members.
Asad Qaiser proposed forming an all-party committee to investigate the treatment of parliamentarians.
Sher Afzal Khan Marwat expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s support during his arrest and called for unity among political parties, stressing that political victimization should be avoided.
