He accuses opposition members of showing loyalty to individuals rather than the Constitution and the country.
Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif addresses a session of the National Assembly. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday said that the 27th Constitutional Amendment passed by Parliament will not only ensure justice for the people but also help in resolving constitutional issues in a transparent and fair manner.
Speaking at the National Assembly, he reiterated that Parliament is the supreme institution.
“The Constitution grants powers to Parliament, which is supreme. Now that authority has been restored,” he said.
He accused opposition members of showing loyalty to the people rather than the Constitution or the country.
Referring to the recent terrorist incidents in Wana and Islamabad, he said the opposition had not expressed a single word of condemnation.
“His facilitators have been arrested, but there has been no condemnation from the opposition,” he alleged.
The minister questioned whether the opposition supports the country or the militants.
“Their statements, their behavior, their entire conduct show that they are not defending the Constitution of Pakistan or its institutions, especially Parliament, the highest institution. They are only defending their personal interests,” he said.
He further alleged that opposition leaders sympathized with terrorists and sought to protect those involved in cross-border violence.
He said the opposition must clearly declare whether its loyalty lies with Pakistan, its Constitution or “a single individual.”
He praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for “writing a new chapter” in defending the country’s borders, airspace and seas.
The minister also accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his associates of corruption. “In Pakistan’s 78-year history, no one has committed theft on this scale,” he said.
