National Assembly witnesses intense exchanges as lawmakers debate Kashmir policy, inter-provincial water distribution and restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder.
The National Assembly on Thursday became the center of intense political confrontation as lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches exchanged sharp remarks over Kashmir-related issues, water distribution disputes, and restrictions on access to the PTI founder. The heated session highlighted widening divisions among political parties on several sensitive national matters.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif defended Pakistan’s longstanding stance on Kashmir and urged opposition members to avoid disrupting parliamentary proceedings. He acknowledged the right to protest but emphasized that demonstrations should not hinder the functioning of the legislature.
Speaking on the Kashmir issue, Asif said generations of Kashmiri refugees had made significant sacrifices and stressed that Kashmir remained a core national interest for Pakistan. He reiterated that the country would continue to safeguard the rights of Kashmiri refugees and protect the constitutional framework in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister also called for resolving disputes through democratic and constitutional means, arguing that political disagreements should be settled through dialogue and elections rather than unlawful actions. Referring to allegations of violence raised during the session, he maintained that such matters should ultimately be judged by the people.
Earlier, PTI lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat called for greater parliamentary attention to the Kashmir issue and criticized the use of force against civilians. He argued that attacks on hospitals and firing on unarmed individuals could not be justified under any circumstances.
Marwat also questioned restrictions surrounding meetings with the PTI founder, stating that legal processes had already paved the way for such meetings and that administrative barriers should not override judicial decisions.
Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described refugee seats in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as a “red line,” emphasizing their importance to the broader Kashmir dispute. He urged the Awami Action Committee to pursue peaceful dialogue and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
Another major point of contention emerged over water distribution among provinces. Lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party challenged official figures regarding Sindh’s water share, triggering a debate with Federal Minister Moin Wattoo. Wattoo defended data provided by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), claiming that Sindh had received more water than its allocated share and announcing that a telemetry monitoring system would be completed by 2027 to improve transparency.
The dispute prompted the Speaker of the National Assembly to direct relevant authorities to hold consultations aimed at resolving concerns over conflicting statistics and water management practices.
In a separate exchange, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed frustration over continued restrictions on meetings with the party founder, claiming that access had been denied for 34 consecutive weeks despite the formation of committees intended to address the issue.
Responding to the concerns, the Speaker said efforts had been made to facilitate meetings but alleged that the process had faced repeated disruptions. The exchange underscored ongoing tensions between the government and opposition over political freedoms, parliamentary procedures and the broader political climate in the country.
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