ISLAMABAD: The Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, on Thursday said that action against terrorists will be taken at all costs under the National Action Plan (NAP), however, no new operation is being launched in the former Fata region.
Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, in response to points of objection raised by Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) parliamentarian and former speaker Asad Qaiser and others, Talal Chaudhry clarified, “No new operation is being launched, but under the National Action Plan, no one can stop the operations.”
He further stated, “We know what pains you. Who brought and settled the TTP terrorists here?” “Are you with the terrorists or with the state?” he asked reacting to Asad Qaiser’s concerns over a potential military operation in Bajaur and other parts of newly merged districts. He also remarked, “Terrorist attacks do not target them (a specific group); they target all other parties.” He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had received Rs700 billion under the NFC award for counterterrorism, but the provincial government failed to enhance the capacity of its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). Referring to the May 9 violence, the minister of state remarked that Imran Khan’s popularity could not prove his innocence. “Being popular does not mean innocent.”
On Youm-e-Istehsal protests of the PTI, Talal Chaudhry defended the closure of parliament’s entry gates, citing security concerns due to Section 144 and a large rally near D-Chowk.
Talal confirmed that land travel for Arbaeen pilgrims via Iran remained suspended due to regional tensions following the Israel-Iran conflict. He said an MWM delegation met ministry officials last Thursday, with further talks held with MWM’s Raja Nasir Abbas. He informed the House that the PM had directed the defence minister to ensure facilitation of pilgrims through air travel.
Earlier, PTI parliamentarian Asad Qaiser stated that his party would not allow any military operation in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“We want peace. Why have the operations failed? Engage in dialogue with the people—we will not allow any operation to take place.” He further criticised, “You have shut down all trade with Afghanistan at the borders. You imposed taxes on Fata-Pata (tribal areas). Wake up and face reality—the people have rejected this government.” The PTI leader also demanded an independent trial of cases against Imran Khan. He asserted that the PTI leadership had been struggling for the country’s existence, sovereignty and the supremacy of the Constitution and law. “We will not give up our lawful struggle at any cost,” the PTI leader declared. He also lamented that the gates of parliament were shut for PTI parliamentarians, and even BPS-18 or BPS-19 officers were humiliating them.
Asad Qaiser recalled that PTI lawmakers were arrested within the Parliament House premises and were now being disqualified. He said the National Assembly had been reduced to a rubber stamp and announced he would urge party members to boycott the House proceedings, calling them unlawful. Referring to the sugar crisis, he demanded accountability. A judicial inquiry should be ordered, and a judicial commission formed to identify those responsible.
Another opposition member Sher Afzal Marwat criticized the presence of agency and police personnel outside the Assembly, stating that it fosters hatred in the political culture. He vowed that if he were given the Speaker’s authority, he would not allow such a situation to continue. He demanded the formation of a House committee to investigate the attack on the Parliament House.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Sharmila Farooqui challenged the government’s claims regarding the availability of life-saving drugs. Citing data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), she noted that prices of these drugs had surged by 17.5 percent annually.
She also highlighted that over 100 key positions in the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) remain vacant, severely hampering its ability to regulate drug prices and ensure their availability. Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Nelson Azeem stated that there was no shortage of essential medicines, including insulin and cancer drugs. The parliamentary secretary acknowledged a temporary shortage in May due to heightened tensions with India but maintained “medicines are now being locally manufactured and even exported to other countries.”
Meanwhile, the government accommodated all the amendments from its main coalition partner, the PPP, and passed the bill seeking to establish land port authority. The Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025 would facilitate the movement of goods and people across border crossing points and reduce the cost of doing business. The government supported amendments moved by Syed Naveed Qamar in 19 out of total 55 clauses of the bill, all of which were adopted by the House.
