Muslim world must unite or face individual targeting, warns Asif

ISLAMABAD: Strong expressions of support for Iran in response to Israel’s aggression echoed across both the government and opposition benches in the National Assembly on Saturday, as lawmakers took up the budget debate amidst rising regional tensions.

As the Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif assured that Pakistan would continue to stand with Iran while extending every support to brotherly Islamic country, ex-Speaker and PTI parliamentarian Asad Qaiser noted that Iranian forces have the right for self-defence against Israel’s attack.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency meeting to develop a joint strategy in response to Israel’s aggression. Condemning its military aggression against Iran, Asif declared Israel a serious threat to regional and global peace. The minister said Iran is not just a neighbour but a brotherly country with deep-rooted ties with Pakistan. He warned that if the Muslim world does not act together, every country will eventually become a target. “The way Israel has targeted Yemen, Iran, and Palestine shows a larger plan. Strong leadership is needed now,” he said. Khawaja Asif said Pakistan stands firmly with Iran and will continue to support it on international fora, he said.

Asad Qaiser, while addressing the budget session, stated that Israel’s attack and the subsequent retaliatory action by Iran in defence of its sovereignty must be viewed with moral clarity. He said that Pakistan stands in full solidarity with Iranian brothers and announced strong support. “It is our moral obligation to stand by Iran at this critical time,” he said. He further said that Israel has committed worst atrocities against Palestinians, sparing neither children, women, elderly, nor hospitals and schools. He demanded that the Government of Pakistan immediately launch diplomatic efforts to convene an emergency session of OIC.

Meanwhile, the defence minister recalled that India used Israeli drones while launching unprovocative attack on Pakistan last month. He said “India’s false pride has been shattered, and their leadership is now embarrassed at home.” He highlighted the armed forces defended the nation bravely. He also praised Pakistan’s youth, especially cyber experts, who shut down lights in Indian stadiums, disrupted IPL matches, and even shut down their water supply from dams. Their skills surprised the world, he said.

Turning to the economy, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan suffers huge losses due to tax evasion, especially in tobacco, real estate, steel and tyres. “We lose around Rs300 billion annually in tobacco taxes alone,” he said. Asif demanded accountability and urged the finance ministry and FBR to brief parliament on the people behind large-scale tax evasion. Khawaja Asif praised Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and credited him for bringing back international trust in Pakistan’s economy. He admitted that the public may still be feeling economic pressure but said positive changes are happening. “The business community is showing more confidence, and the stock market recently hit a historic 125,000-point high,” he said.

Discussing alleged financial injustices towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Asad Qaisar said that after the FATA merger, the province’s NFC Award share should have increased to 19pc, but there was no substantial progress. On the electricity crisis, he said the people were tormented during Eid, especially in Swabi, where electricity was available for only two hours.

PTI’s parliamentary leader Zartaj Gul agitated the absence of federal ministers and government members from the House. She said the incumbent government with only 13 genuine seats in the National Assembly, presented its second federal budget.

PPP parliamentarian Syed Naveed Qamar said that the federal budget is a policy document but it will be mocked if there are differences in prime minister’s statement and numbers of the budget proposals. He highlighted that there was no allocation in the budget for agriculture.

The opposition leader, Omar Ayub Khan, while taking the floor briefly, said the government would have to change budgetary figures in view of the increase in the price of crude oil after Israel’s attack on Iran. “The budgetary figures have become meaningless after the recent developments in the region and Pakistan currency is most likely to depreciate,” he said.