MNAs condemn Canadian MP’s remarks against army

Defence minister urges Canadian government to take notice of irresponsible statement

ISLAMABAD:

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday strongly condemned the Canadian parliamentarian's remarks against Pakistan's military leadership, urging the Canadian government to take notice of the irresponsible statement.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif said, "Pakistan and military leadership was criticised by a Canadian parliamentarian, which is deplorable … the Canadian government should take action on irresponsible statement."

He said that a protest had also been registered through the diplomatic channel against the remarks but it was necessary to debate the issue in Pakistan's parliament too.

“Pakistan is enjoying cordial ties with Canada but the remarks against the Pakistan state and its institution cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Read more: 'Hatemonger' Imran has divided Pakistanis, says defence minister

He alleged that PTI chief Imran Khan is involved in an anti-state campaign outside the country, adding that the government in Pakistan had been changed through a legal process and according to the Constitution.

The minister said that the change of government had also been endorsed by the Pakistan judiciary and the majority supported the move.

He said that, in the incident of Islamophobia in Canada, Muslims from 2017 to 2022 were targeted and killed in various incidents. "During the last five years, Canada is leading in the cases of Islamophobia in G7 countries. The human rights violations are on the rise in Canada," he added.

He expressed displeasure at the silence over human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir, Palestine and against the Muslims living in India, saying: “What an irony it is that western countries always exercise selective sense of justice and look aside when there is a matter of the rights of Muslims in Kashmir, Palestine and Myanmar.”

He said it was unfortunate that when the issue of targeting Muslims comes, the international human rights institutions showed criminal silence.

Read more: Pakistan issues demarche to Canada over MP’s 'irresponsible remarks'

Asif said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership had divided the Pakistan society and overseas Pakistanis.

"Over nine million overseas Pakistanis are assets of the country," he added.

He alleged that the PTI chairman had promoted hate inside Pakistan and outside Pakistan, adding that all the country's institutions had been used by Imran for political victimisation.

Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Raja Riaz Ahmed Khan also condemned the parliamentarian’s remarks against the military leadership.

"The house strongly condemned the Canadian parliamentarian’s remarks against Pakistan institutions and its leadership."

Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri also called upon the Canadian government to take notice of the irresponsible statement given by a Canadian parliamentarian against the democratic system of Pakistan.

"I am truly offended as a Pakistani to hear such an irresponsible statement made on the floor of the Canadian parliament," she added.

She said the Pakistan government sees the bilateral relationship with Canada with respect but it did not mean that its parliament should raise questions over Pakistan's democratic government and security institutions.

"Pakistan is a sovereign nation, a nuclear state, and has true democratic system that has to be respected," she added.

She said such statements on the international level are being made only due to former premier Imran Khan's anti-Pakistan and anti-democratic behaviour who is telling blatant lies in his interviews with the international media.

On the grievances expressed by the Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, the minister added that the issues and the grievances of Balochistan needed to be addressed by action and not words.

She said the model of Aghaz-e-Huqooq Balochistan introduced by PPP President Asif Ali Zardari can be adopted to minimise the deprivation of the province.

(With input from APP)