• Blames dictators for getting involved in Afghanistan ‘to appease superpower’
• NA passes resolution slamming imambargah attack; opens debate on terrorism
• Ministers say India ‘fighting proxy war in Pakistan’

ISLAMABAD: As the National Assembly suspended its routine agenda in favour of a three-day debate on terrorism, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif termed Pakistan’s involvement in two Afghan wars ‘a mistake’, saying that the terrorism being witnessed today was the blowback of mistakes committed by past dictators.

His remarks came as the assembly also passed a resolution condemning the attack on Imambargah Khadijatul Kubra in the Tarlai area of the federal capital on Feb 6.

He told the House that two former military dictators had joined the war in Afghanistan, not for the sake of Islam, but to appease a superpower.

“We deny our history and did not accept our mistakes. Terrorism is a blowback of the mistakes committed by dictators in the past,” the minister added.

The minister also lamented the “lack of unity” in the country when it came to condemning acts of terrorism.

He maintained that in order to protect political interests, some refrained from attending the funerals of martyrs.

The minister said religious hatred was being fanned in Pakistan under an international conspiracy.

He maintained that India was sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, adding that it was the need of the hour that all Pakistanis come together to foil New Delhi’s plan.

He said that in the past, the Afghan government had agreed with Pakistan’s stance, but was now reluctant to give any guarantee to control terrorism.

“Now, India is using Afghan terrorists against us. India is fighting a proxy war in Pakistan,” he added.

He said there were differences among religious sects which could be sorted out in parliament instead of in mosques and imambargahs.

“All issues can be resolved here. All problems can be addressed if our politics becomes subservient to the state. Our loyalties to the motherland should not be conditional,” he added.

‘Strengthening parliament’

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai, in his speech, said all stakeholders should sit together to find solutions to the problems plaguing the country.

He also offered unconditional support to the government for strengthening parliament.

“If today we decide that parliament will be the hub of power and all decisions will be taken here, all our problems will be resolved,” he added.

He also urged the government to ask the UN secretary general to hold an international conference on Afghanistan.

‘Country under attack’

PPP leader Raza Pervez Ashraf said Pakistan was under attack and it was not because of internal rifts but under a conspiracy and plan of neighbouring India.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the House that two of the suicide bomber’s handlers were arrested and, on their disclosure, four more terrorists were traced.

On the tense security situation in the tribal districts, the minister, in a jibe at the PTI-led KP government, offered to take these back control over these districts, if the provincial government felt “helpless in tackling terrorism” there.

JUI-F MNA Aliya Kamran asked how and when terrorism would be overcome. She also demanded that the government announce compensation for the families of martyrs and the injured.

PTI’s Asad Qaisar said he condemned such incidents, but complained that the government had not taken parliament on board on important matters like the war on terror and Pakistan’s role in the US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”.

“Where are these decisions being taken?” he added.

PML-N MNA Khurram Shahzad, in whose constituency the tragic suicide attack had taken place, questioned how the suicide bomber had even reached the federal capital.

Resolution

The resolution — tabled by PML-N lawmaker Hameed Hussain — called the attack “a direct attack on the Constitution of Pakistan, religious freedom, national security and interfaith harmony”.

“This House demands that the suicide bombers, facilitators, planners and patrons involved in this incident be exposed and brought to justice,” it said.

It further demanded indiscriminate action be taken against banned organisations and their networks, social media propaganda and public activities.

“Effective and permanent arrangements should be made for the security of places of worship, especially mosques and Imambar_gahs,” the resolution added.

“Immediate and adequate financial assistance should be provided to the families of martyrs, while the injured should be provided with the best medical facilities,” it further demanded.

The resolution further called for an effective counterterrorism strategy at the national level, which should be practically implemented by the authorities.

“This House reiterates its resolve that terrorism, sectarianism and hate-based violence will not be tolerated in Pakistan, and will ensure the protection of the lives and property of citizens at all costs,” it said.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2026