ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Defense Minister Khawaja Asif condemned a statement made by Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai regarding the security forces, calling it ‘irresponsible.’
Speaking in the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif said that Achakzai had claimed the Pakistan Army is “an army of four districts,” which he described as an extremely irresponsible remark. “This is not something one would expect from Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and his statement has caused distress,” he added.
He emphasized that while Achakzai is entitled to his views, he should avoid making attacks. “The Pakistan Army does not belong to any single province or district. In this war against terrorism, we suffer losses every day, and over 200 terrorists have been eliminated in Balochistan alone,” the minister said.
Khawaja Asif further stated, “Islam does not permit bloodshed. Our soldiers’ lives are constantly at risk as they uphold their oath with their own blood. We politicians may switch parties, but these martyrs never changed their loyalties.”
He added, “We fight for our personal interests and power. If I were to cross a line drawn in blood, I would not have the right to sit in this house.”
“Punjabi laborers are killed based on their identity cards, but this is not labeled as provincialism. Challenge my statistics if you can—claiming the army is of only four districts is a highly irresponsible statement and a disgrace to this position. This is a war for the entire nation, not for any single district,” Asif added.