ISLAMABAD — On Friday, lawmakers in Pakistan’s National Assembly expressed unwavering support for the country’s armed forces amid the ongoing conflict with India, vowing to avenge the martyrs lost to Indian missile and drone attacks this week.
The session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa, marked the fifth consecutive day of debate on India’s aggression. While opposition members pledged full support for national security efforts, they also emphasized the need to release the PTI founder, arguing it was essential for national unity.
Opening the debate, Sanjay Parwani of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said India had shifted from its secular roots to extremist policies, adding that even many Hindus were disillusioned with what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had done to the country. Parwani remarked that Hindus in Pakistan were safer than those living under Modi’s government.
Sadiq Ali Memon of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) compared India’s actions to the Gaza conflict, stating that Pakistan’s Air Force had delivered a firm response, strengthening Pakistan’s international standing.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Shahid Khattak stressed that Pakistan was effectively at war and needed unity. However, he warned that such unity was impossible if the country’s “most popular leader,” referring to Imran Khan, remained imprisoned. Khattak accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of lacking true commitment, saying, “They will push people into war and then flee to London — but Pakistan is ours, we will stay and fight.”
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi condemned Modi as “the butcher of Gujarat,” claiming that India had miscalculated if it thought it could break Pakistan. He pointed to Pakistan’s retaliation, including shooting down Indian jets and crippling Indian military capabilities. Abbasi also accused India of supporting terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and of orchestrating the Jafar Express hijacking. “For every one of our soldiers killed, we will kill a hundred,” he declared.
PTI’s Asad Qaiser voiced support for the assembly’s resolution against India but criticized the government for ignoring opposition efforts to foster unity. He described police mistreatment during a recent visit to meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, questioning, “Is this what national unity looks like?” He warned that Imran’s life was in danger and urged his release for the sake of the nation.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain recalled how the Pakistan Air Force had “taught India a lesson” in 2019, notably referencing the capture of Indian pilot Abhinandan. He added that India’s recent drone attacks, allegedly assisted by Israel, would meet similar consequences.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said India’s pride had been damaged with the downing of its Rafale jets, which forced it to resort to unmanned attacks.
PTI’s Zartaj Gul criticized the government for blocking elected leaders from meeting Imran Khan, contrasting this with how even Modi had met his rival Rahul Gandhi. She urged the government to show the same political maturity.
Responding to opposition speeches, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar welcomed the unified stance against India and echoed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for dialogue to move the country forward. He affirmed that the military had full authority to respond to India and vowed that the blood of Pakistan’s martyrs would be avenged. “Pakistan has never acted aggressively, but if provoked, we will strike back hard,” he declared.
The session was then adjourned until Monday.
