ISLAMABAD — Lawmakers across party lines in the National Assembly on Monday showed rare unity in condemning recent deadly terror attacks in Balochistan, though sharp differences emerged over the causes of militancy and the strategy needed to counter it effectively.
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The debate was held after Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq suspended the day’s agenda and confined proceedings to the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, particularly following attacks in Balochistan that killed security personnel and civilians.
During the National Assembly session, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, extended a warm welcome to a delegation of senior journalists from the Pakistan Press Club UK (PPCUK), led by its President, Mr. Musarat Iqbal Raja, seated in the Press Gallery.#NASession pic.twitter.com/llbgdg4GE4
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 2, 2026
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the House that 177 terrorists had been killed within days of the attacks, which claimed the lives of 10 policemen, one Levies official, six Frontier Corps personnel and 33 civilians. He said backwardness or deprivation could not justify taking up arms against the state and warned that political polarisation was weakening Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts.
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں اسپیکر قومی اسمبلی سردار ایاز صادق نے وفاقی وزیر برائے دفاع خواجہ محمد آصف کو کہا کہ وہ ایوان کو آگاہ کریں کہ پاکستان کی افواج اور سیکیورٹی فورسز نے دہشت گردی کے بے شمار ممکنہ واقعات کو کیسے ناکام بنایا اور انہیں رونما ہونے سے کیسے روکا۔
اسپیکر سردار… pic.twitter.com/EnAPOlqpss
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 2, 2026
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں وفاقی وزیر برائے دفاع خواجہ محمد آصف کا ملک خصوصاً بلوچستان میں امن و امان کی صورتحال کے حوالے سے اظہارِ خیال#NASession @KhawajaMAsif https://t.co/DdqVUnObjg pic.twitter.com/kfPNrRDYk8
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 2, 2026
Asif cautioned that fragmented national narratives and internal divisions only benefited militant groups and hostile foreign actors. He also rejected the narrative of deprivation in Balochistan, accusing the banned Balochistan Liberation Army of exploiting such claims to radicalise youth. He cited improvements in education and healthcare infrastructure in the province since independence as evidence of progress.
Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai challenged the defence minister’s figures and rejected his assessment, arguing that unjust resource distribution had fuelled resentment and extremism. While condemning the attacks as “inhuman”, Achakzai said terrorism could be defeated by granting people their due rights and called for a two-day marathon parliamentary session on the issue.
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں قائد حزب اختلاف محمود خان اچکزئی کا اظہارِ خیال#NASession@MKAchakzaiPKMAP pic.twitter.com/ZS3saRJgCo
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 2, 2026
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں قائد حزب اختلاف محمود خان اچکزئی کا اظہارِ خیال
(Part-2)#NASession@MKAchakzaiPKMAP pic.twitter.com/M6TIo4vKzu— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 2, 2026
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PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf urged political parties to rise above partisan differences, warning that targeting state institutions for political gain could damage national morale. He stressed the need for unity at a critical moment and proposed comprehensive parliamentary engagement, including committee reviews, to address security challenges.
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں سابق وزیراعظم و سابق اسپیکر قومی اسمبلی راجہ پرویز اشرف کا ملک خصوصاً بلوچستان میں امن و امان کی صورتحال کے حوالے سے اظہارِ خیال #NASession @RPAPPP pic.twitter.com/hq0tuBTAX5
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 2, 2026
Despite strong speeches, the seriousness of the debate was questioned when only about 10 members remained present at the conclusion of proceedings.