Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that all political parties should acknowledge the positive role played by Pakistan at the international level for regional peace and stability regardless of their political differences.

Speaking in the National Assembly today, he particularly highlighted the role of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying his efforts averted a confrontation.

The Defence Minister regretted the statement made by JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the National Assembly yesterday, saying he targeted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.

He clarified that no defence agreement was being signed in Tehran. He reminded that he was present when the two defence agreements were signed: one among Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia and the other among Pakistan, Turkiye, Qatar and Indonesia.

Khawaja Asif said these are testing times and stressed the need for unity. He emphasized that there are issues on which unity must be unconditional.

The Defence Minister strongly criticized Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s politics, describing it as full of contradictions.

He recalled that the JUI-F chief served as chairman of the Kashmir Committee for ten years and questioned his contribution to promoting the Kashmir cause.

Referring to the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khawaja Asif said Maulana Fazlur Rehman would not have delivered yesterday’s speech in the House had he been given a share in the current provincial setup.

Taking the floor, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said the international standing of Pakistan has improved significantly because of its role in regional peace and stability.

He paid tributes to the security personnel rendering their lives for the peace and security of the country.

Taking the floor, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the opposition would have to shoulder its responsibility for strengthening Parliament. He stressed that the opposition should join the Electoral Reforms Committee to address the issue of rigging in elections. He urged the Leader of the Opposition to submit the names of their representatives for the committee.

Responding to a calling attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Education Rabia Naseem Farooqi said the government is focused on providing education and job opportunities to the youth. She said a digital youth hub has been established at the national level to enable the youth explore different opportunities.

The Anti-Dumping Duties Amendment Bill, 2026 was laid before the house today.

It was moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary.