Perpetrators of Mayhem Will Face Consequences: Khawaja Asif

News Desk 

Islamabad: Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, emphasized on Thursday that the accountability process regarding the perpetrators of the May 9th incident would be pursued until its rightful conclusion.

He highlighted that this pursuit was essential for honoring the sanctity of the martyrs and upholding the pride of 240 million Pakistanis in their Armed Forces.

Speaking at a press conference alongside the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, the Defence Minister condemned the attacks on military installations, considering them equivalent to acts of hostility against the nation. Khawaja Asif reiterated that the Armed Forces and civil law enforcement agencies were engaged in a relentless battle for the country’s survival, making daily sacrifices in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

The Defence Minister accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of intentionally tarnishing the reputation of state institutions for their own malicious agenda. He alleged that the PTI sought to create controversy around the appointment of the Army Chief, a decision solely within the Prime Minister’s authority.

Highlighting his extensive experience in the appointment process during his tenure as Defence Minister under the PML-N government, he emphasized that the selections were always made based on merit and the nation’s best interests.

The Minister criticized the PTI’s contradictory actions, pointing out their public stance against subservience while simultaneously engaging with US officials and lobbyists for favors. He also condemned PTI members for disrupting parliamentary proceedings to serve their detained party founder’s interests.

Accusing the PTI of orchestrating long-standing conspiracies against state institutions, he emphasized that such actions were not sudden but planned. He challenged PTI’s claims of coerced statements from defected party members, urging them to retract if their assertions were false.

Addressing the PTI’s slogan “Khan Nahi to Pakistan Nahi” (No Pakistan Without Khan), the Defence Minister stressed that Pakistan’s existence was not contingent on any individual but was established through the sacrifices of millions. He invoked the legacy of Quaid-e-Azam and the sacrifices of those who fought for independence in 1947, the 1965 War, and the ongoing fight against terrorism.

He also drew a parallel with the consequences faced by perpetrators and leaders of the January 6 Capitol Hill attack in the United States, highlighting the need for accountability and justice.

He emphasized that every Pakistani holds dear the belief that Pakistan signifies “There is no God but one.” He questioned who instigated the targeting of state institutions and urged for transparency regarding the motives behind such actions, which should be disclosed to the nation.

Addressing media inquiries, he stated that political parties must engage in dialogue with each other. However, he emphasized that if state institutions have opted to remain apolitical, they should not be drawn into political processes by any party.