{"id":1471,"date":"2026-02-09T22:21:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T22:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=1471"},"modified":"2026-02-09T22:21:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T22:21:09","slug":"khawaja-asif-stresses-need-for-national-identity-as-na-passes-resolution-condemning-islamabad-suicide-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=1471","title":{"rendered":"Khawaja Asif stresses need for national identity as NA passes resolution condemning Islamabad suicide attack"},"content":{"rendered":"


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ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday stressed the need for a national identity as the National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the attack<\/a> at an imambargah in Islamabad.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the floor of the house, Asif said, \u201cIt is very important that we have a national identity on which no one disagrees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Talking about terrorism, he said, \u201cThe spike in terrorism in the country; I am sad to say that we are not even united in the condemnation of terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said that in order to protect political interests, some refrained from attending the funerals of martyrs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least on national issues \u2014 all of us sitting here, regardless of which party they belong to \u2026 this is one thing on which there needs to be consensus on and that is Pakistan and its integrity as well as respect for those sacrificing their lives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In his remarks, the minister said that two dictators in the past had joined the war in Afghanistan to please a superpower. He said terrorism was a blowback of mistakes committed by dictators in the past.<\/p>\n

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The minister said religious hatred was being fanned in Pakistan under an international conspiracy. He said the last four presidents of the United States were responsible for the killings of millions of Muslims.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we always try to get support from the world powers,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

He said India was sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, adding that it was the need of the hour that all Pakistanis be united to foil India\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n

He said that the Afghan government in the past had agreed with Pakistan\u2019s stance but now were reluctant to give any guarantee for controlling terrorism.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, India is using Afghan terrorists against us. India is fighting a proxy war in Pakistan,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

He said there were differences among our religious sects which could be sorted out in Parliament instead of in mosques and imambargahs.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us make this parliament functional in a real manner,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cHistory gives us an opportunity for course correction but we have to be loyal to the Constitution. All issues can be resolved here. All problems can be addressed if our politics becomes subservient to the state. Our loyalties to the motherland should not be conditional,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai, in his speech, said that a three-day debate should be held on terrorism. He said all stakeholders should sit together to find solutions to the problems plaguing the country.<\/p>\n

He also offered unconditional support to the government for strengthening Parliament.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf today we decide that Parliament will be the hub of power and all decisions will be taken here, all our problems will be resolved,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

He also urged the government to ask the United Nations secretary general to hold an international conference on Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the NA also passed a resolution condemning the suicide bombing at the imambargah.<\/p>\n

The resolution \u2014 tabled by PML-N lawmaker Hameed Hussain \u2014 called the attack \u201ca direct attack on the Constitution of Pakistan, religious freedom, national security and interfaith harmony\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis house demands that the suicide bombers, facilitators, planners and patrons involved in this incident be exposed and brought to justice,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

It further demanded indiscriminate action be taken against banned organisations and their networks, social media propaganda and public activities.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEffective and permanent arrangements should be made for the security of places of worship, especially mosques and imambargahs,\u201d the resolution added.<\/p>\n

\u201cImmediate and adequate financial assistance should be provided to the families of martyrs, while the injured should be provided with the best medical facilities,\u201d it further demanded.<\/p>\n

The resolution further called for an effective counterterrorism strategy at the national level, which should be practically implemented by authorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis house reiterates its resolve that terrorism, sectarianism and hate-based violence will not be tolerated in Pakistan, and will ensure the protection of lives and property of the citizens at all costs,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n