Asif blasts Gandapur as 'double-dealer'

ISLAMABAD:

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif lashed out at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, labelling him as "untrustworthy" and a "double-dealer".

In a fiery session of the National Assembly on Friday, Asif claimed that Gandapur had spent the entire night at the Kohsar Complex begging for forgiveness, asserting, "We don't need to ask; they should question themselves on their actions."

Addressing the assembly during a point of order, Asif highlighted what he saw as the ineffectiveness of the special committee formed under NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, stating, "It seems this committee has been created solely to address PTI's issues. I no longer wish to be a part of this committee."

Asif pointed out that matters already condemned were once again discussed in the committee, lamenting, "This committee was formed to restore the dignity of the House, not to become a platform for complaints about arrests."

He expressed frustration that the committee's recent meeting did not align with the spirit for which it was created.

Asif criticised the duplicity of the opposition's complaints about arrests, recalling, "When MNAs were taken from the Parliament Lodges, did anyone raise their voices in support of us?"

He said that when PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's wife was on her deathbed, the former premier was not even allowed to speak with her, despite repeated requests. "That level of hatred and cruelty has no parallel."

He also took issue with Gandapur's language towards women, particularly a mother and daughter, asking, "Has anyone condemned the language Gandapur used against a woman and her daughter?"

The defence minister pointed out that despite the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) being in power for two years, "We have not used NAB as a tool against anyone, unlike how it was weaponised in the past."

Commenting on the tumultuous political environment from 2013 to 2018, Asif said, "This House was held hostage during that period, and even the state television headquarters were attacked. PTI needs to reflect on its own past before accusing others."

He urged that if new traditions are to be established in politics, it is essential to express regret over past actions.

Turning his criticism directly towards PTI, Asif said, "They should mention their own transgressions, but they must also express remorse for their actions during their four-year tenure."

He alluded to secret meetings held at former NA speaker Asad Qaiser's residence, hinting that officers stationed outside were aware of what was going on.

He further added that even the prime minister's daughters were subjected to legal cases, fuelling enmity.

"Before the vote of no confidence, 22 bills were passed in just 20 minutes, after which the assembly was dissolved. And now, they are lecturing us on the law and proper procedure."

Attacking Gandapur again, he reiterated that the K-P CM spent the entire night apologising at the Kohsar Complex. "Gandapur is a two-faced individual—do not trust him," Asif warned the House.

He also reminded the assembly of the government's efforts to detain opposition members, stressing that during PTI's tenure, even the speaker was inaccessible to them.