Khawaja Asif Claims Laws Were Drafted in Presence of ISI Officials During PTI Government

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that several pieces of legislation, including the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, were reviewed and amended in the presence of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

The remarks were made during a session of the National Assembly chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, where heated exchanges took place between treasury and opposition lawmakers during the budget debate.

Speaking on the floor of the house, Khawaja Asif said he wanted to “lighten the burden on his conscience by speaking the truth.” He alleged that lawmakers from different parties held meetings with individuals sent by former ISI chief Lt Gen (Retd.) Faiz Hameed while discussing legislative matters.

“We used to negotiate and discuss legislation in the presence of ISI officials,” Asif said. He further claimed that meetings were held at the residence of former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, where participants worked on amendments and revisions to various laws.

The defence minister specifically stated that provisions of legislation, including the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, were refined during those meetings.

Khawaja Asif criticized the opposition for targeting the current government, arguing that those now raising objections had themselves been involved in such arrangements in the past.

“These are the same people who participated in these processes, so with what face do they now criticize us?” he said.

The comments came amid an intense budget debate in the National Assembly, where members of the government and opposition traded sharp criticism over political and legislative issues.

No immediate response from Asad Qaiser or PTI leadership was reported following Khawaja Asif’s remarks.