Can step down if resignation resolves security issues: Khawaja Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Monday that he is ready to step down from his position if his resignation would help resolve the country's security issues.

He made this comment in response to opposition demands for his resignation following the deadly terrorist attack on Jaffar Express.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, Khawaja Asif acknowledged that he was being held responsible for the security failure but insisted he was willing to resign if it would address the issue.

The opposition has blamed the attack on a security lapse and demanded the resignations of the ministers for defence, interior, and information. PTI leader Asad Qaiser criticised Asif, accusing him of deflecting blame onto his political rivals instead of accepting responsibility.

During a National Assembly session, Asif criticised PTI, stating that while the attack was condemned globally, including by the United Nations and the United States, the party’s founder did not issue a statement on the incident.

Amid a surge in terrorist attacks, including the recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express and escalating violence in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the top military leadership is set to brief lawmakers on the country's security challenges on March 18, it emerged on Sunday.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the National Assembly speaker has convened a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security on Tuesday at 1:30 pm on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The in-camera session will focus on the country's security situation, with top military leadership providing a comprehensive briefing on evolving threats.

The meeting, scheduled to be held in the National Assembly hall, will be attended by cabinet members, parliamentary leaders, and nominated representatives from all political parties.

Military officials will present an assessment of internal and external threats amid growing concerns over the recent surge in terrorist activities.

Security concerns have escalated following a string of attacks, particularly in Balochistan, where militants recently hijacked a passenger train and carried out a suicide bombing on a security convoy.