The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence has categorically rejected India’s allegations implicating Pakistan in the recent Pahalgam attack, calling them baseless and provocative.
During a high-level meeting held at the Parliament House in Islamabad, chaired by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Fathullah Khan, the committee expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the Pahalgam incident but firmly denounced the unfounded accusations made by the Indian government.
In an official statement, the committee stressed that Pakistan, as a responsible state, has consistently worked toward regional peace and has itself suffered extensively due to terrorism. However, it warned that any unprovoked action by India would be met with a “timely and effective response,” underlining Pakistan’s full capability to defend its sovereignty.
The meeting opened with prayers for the late mother and sister-in-law of Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir.
Concern Over India’s Escalatory Actions
The committee voiced serious concern over India’s recent unilateral measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border crossing, and the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel. Lawmakers warned that such steps could dangerously escalate tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Legislative Review: Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2024
The session also included a detailed review of the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2024. Officials from the Ministry of Defence briefed the committee on key provisions of the bill, including reforms related to welfare initiatives, cybercrime regulations, and procedural adjustments. The amendments aim to bring the Navy’s legal framework in alignment with recent updates made to the Army and Air Force Acts, promoting uniformity across the three military branches. The committee unanimously recommended its passage in the National Assembly.
Mapping Pakistan’s Mineral Resources
The Surveyor General of Pakistan and representatives from the mineral departments of all four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan also presented briefings on involving the private sector in resource surveying and mapping. The committee emphasized prioritizing the services of the Surveyor General’s department over private firms to ensure the protection of sensitive national data.
Unequal Education Funding Raised
The issue of unequal distribution of funds between educational institutions under the Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEI) and those under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) was also discussed. The committee decided to summon the Secretaries of Finance and Planning in the next meeting to provide clarification on the budget discrepancies.
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The meeting was attended by MNAs Aqeel Malik, Abrar Ahmed, Saba Sadiq, Isphandiyar Bandara, Salahuddin Junejo, Sanjay Parwani, Gul Asghar Khan, Plain Baloch, Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, Ghulam Muhammad, and Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Ms. Zeib Jafar.
Also present were Secretary of Defence Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Ali HI(M), Additional Secretary (Army) Maj. Gen. Amir Ashfaq Kayani, and senior officials from the Ministries of Law, Defence, and various provincial governments.
