Did Not Speak Emotionally, Stand by My Words: Mahmood Achakzai Responds to Khawaja Asif

Islamabad: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has responded to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks, stating that he did not speak emotionally and stands by the words he used.

Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Achakzai said he has been attending the assembly since the 1990s and questioned discussions about provincial representation in the armed forces. “Do not talk about the army in that way; speak about the martyrs. We rendered the greatest sacrifices against the British, while others were aligned with them and fighting against us,” he said.

He added that as a citizen of Pakistan, he would continue to speak out against opponents of democracy. “You punished us for supporting democracy and pushed the Pashtuns toward economic ruin,” he alleged, questioning whether Parliament exists to legitimize martial laws. He, however, expressed respect for the armed forces operating within the constitutional framework.

Achakzai further stated that Pakistan belongs to all its citizens and that representation should be ensured according to population. “We seek our share in governance based on population, not on prejudice,” he said, recalling that former Prime Minister نواز Sharif had once stated there was nothing wrong with granting citizenship to Afghans.