
(From left) PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, PTI leader Asad Qaiser speak during the National Assembly session in Islamabad, on March 13, 2025. — Screengrab/GeoNewsLive
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The government and the opposition on Thursday exchanged hot allegations in the National Assembly on Jaffar Express hijacking, which blamed each other for the deadly attack in which about two dozen lives were claimed.
A few hours after the security forces killed all 33 attackers to end a long -standing interruption, many people were rescued from a train hijacked by militants in Baluan, Balson.
The militants blew up the railway tracks and opened fire on the Jaffar Express when they routed to Peshawar from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, in which many of the 440 riding 440 were taken hostage.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is responsible for the attack, killing 21 hostages and killing four security forces.
At the National Assembly session, when Defense Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that Pakistan is spreading on the Tahriki E-Nisf (PTI) terrorist incident, PTI leader Asad Qaiser blamed the government’s disqualification for the attack.
During the meeting, at a rare show of the alliance, the National Assembly unanimously approved a resolution condemning the Jaffar Express hijacing.
Dr Tariq Fazil Chaudhry, who was transferred by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to the resolution, praised the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, FC, SSG and law enforcement agencies for their irrevocable commitment, bravery and sacrifice in protecting the lives of the citizens and protecting their integrity.
He acknowledged that his brave efforts to neutralize the terrorists involved in the attack on Jaffar Express reflect the commitment and preparations of the security forces to defend the nation at all costs.
The lower house of parliament vowed to take every possible step to eliminate terrorism from every corner of the country, confirmed that no group, individual and ideology who tried to dismantle the country’s security, prosperity and sovereignty would not allow fear, hatred and violence in the country’s territorial boundaries.
He vowed to work hard to root out terrorism in all his forms and explanations. The House also called on people to ensure their race and religion, unite in the fight against terrorism and reject extremism, ensure peace, security and prosperity for future generations.
Asif blew up PTI’s social media propaganda
Defense Minister Asif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Jaffar Express in Balochistan, highlighting that passengers were separated on the basis of their race and provincial affiliation.
Asif pointed out that PTI is reluctant to condemn terrorist organizations. He praised Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for standing against the threats in Balochistan and criticized the PTI, which, for fear of “refusing to condemn terrorists”, claimed.
He also condemned the spread of misinformation on social media, highlighting that a post from the PTI -affected page has falsely claimed that 100 people have been martyred in the Jaffar Express tragedy.
Asif said, “The whole nation observed how PTI’s social media interpreted the incident.”
The minister expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives in the attack, emphasizing that such tragedies are a cause for great grief, which increases the spread of misinformation.
He alleged that this misleading account was circulated by the certified PTI-affiliated accounts, especially those who run by supporters abroad.
Without giving the names of the people, Asif criticized the people who had fled the country, but continued to defame national institutions from abroad. “These people lack the courage to return and face the law, yet they dare to question others,” he added.
The defense also confirmed that the Pakistan Army has led the war on terror and the entire nation is standing in support of the armed forces.
He also cited the past statement of General Bajwa and General Faiz, who allegedly suggested that settlement of terrorists in Pakistan is in the best interest of the country.
The minister claimed that intelligence sources have confirmed the attackers’ links with Afghanistan.
Asif stressed that Pakistan has repeatedly called on Afghanistan to take action against terrorist groups like BLA. However, he emphasized that real progress is possible only when past mistakes are acknowledged.
Asif also accused PTI of trying to seize power at any cost, failing to give priority to national security.
During his speech, ASIF criticized PTI members for disrupting the proceedings and engaging in political double standards. He added that when the members of the PTI are in accordance with them, they question the justification of the state institutions, yet they continue to benefit from the same system.
He called on the opposition to focus on the survival of Pakistan rather than defending an individual. Asif emphasized that the country’s security and stability should gain prominence over personal political battles. He urged PTI members to abandon their view of their confrontation and work towards national unity.
He confirmed that Pakistan’s war against terrorism is a top priority.
The Defense Minister further criticized the PTI, saying that he forgets his own actions while in power.
He remarked that those who are now raising concerns about the Ojri camp incident and the Hamoodor Rehman Commission report have failed to take any action on these issues when they are in government.
The PPP chief expressed regret over the lack of political alliance
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the problem of terrorism in Pakistan is nothing new, remembering that even when it was in childhood, it witnessed the terrorist acts.
He highlighted that the country has suffered a lot of damage due to terrorism, including the assassination of his mother and former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto.
Bilawal supported Nawaz Sharif for the formation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and suggested that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif could introduce the second phase of the plan to counter this developing threat.
He warned that the forces that intend to destabilize Pakistan are united in their efforts and that the nation is facing a more dangerous period than ever.
He expressed regret over the lack of unity among the political forces and said that the terrorists were exploiting these divisions.
He pointed out that terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are becoming increasingly intense, with every incident more dangerous than the last.
The PPP chief stressed that terrorists have no ideology, politics or religion – they just try to spread fear and chaos.
Bilawal further claimed that international forces were providing financial support to these terrorist groups. He questioned that terrorists who killed innocent civilians, especially China, target China. He called for the support of the Chief Ministers of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in efforts to restore peace.
Former Foreign Minister Bilal also acknowledged that the people of Balochistan are demanding their right share in the province’s resources. He warned that if the unrest in Balochistan continues, it will not be limited to the province but can spread to the whole country and the wider region.
He criticized those who tried to destabilize Pakistan, emphasizing that their objectives were being investigated. He emphasized the need for collective reaction, saying that national unity is essential to counter these risks.
The PPP chairman expressed disappointment that President Asif Ali Zardari’s speech was not given proper respect in the assembly, and it was more described than just one political address.
He said that Zardari has talked about the economy, a title that should be discussed by both the government and the opposition.
Instead of focusing on national issues, he criticized a particular faction for repeatedly demanding “prisoner 804” (PTI founder Imran Khan).
He pointed out that although some have emotional relations with his leader, wider voters have nothing to do with the matter.
He called on the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to recognize his responsibilities more than demanding the release of prisoners 804, which shows that they should start at least one development project.
‘You don’t have the potential’
For his own share, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan should focus on the basic causes of terrorism and raised the question of what are the factors continuing to continue the factors that lead to terrorist activities in the country.
He criticized the justification of the current National Assembly and the Balochistan Assembly, claiming that those occupying seats were merely representatives of “Form 47”.
Qaiser emphasized that the government needs to review its foreign relations, especially in the context of regional security.
Qaiser emphasized that the National Assembly has been formed by fake sources and demanded fresh elections to restore the public’s confidence.
He accused the authorities of deliberately ignoring the smaller provinces and ignoring their political representation.
The PTI leader criticized the government for failing to provide a clear plan to tackle the country’s current challenges. He remarked that the situation in Sindh is so serious that it looks like there is no government in the province. He claimed that Karachi’s infrastructure was in ruins with broken roads and inadequate public services.
Caesar challenged the government’s claims to overcome inflation, suggesting that visiting local markets would show the actual limit of rising prices. He also called for the need for action against illegal immigrants, emphasizing strict implementation measures.
He condemned the growing influence of the criminal groups, especially in Sindh and Punjab, where he claimed that the robbers in the river areas had worked with immunity. He emphasized that national consensus was needed to effectively deal with these challenges.
Caesar confirmed his party’s position on the imprisonment of “prisoner 804”, which pledged to raise the issue at every forum and at every opportunity. He maintained that the detention was unfair and politically encouraged.
Noting that Asif blamed his party for propaganda about the train attack, he replied: “This is all happening because of your incompetence. You are not capable. [to govern]“