Lawmakers across party lines salute the military for effectively defending the country’s sovereignty
(From left) MNA Rana Tanveer Hussein, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Khwaja Asif can be seen addressing a National Assembly session on May 9, 2025, in this combination of images. — X/@NAofPakistan
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has once again unanimously sponsored Pakistan’s navy response to India’s latest aggression, calling it a display of countrywide solidarity.
The lawmakers from diverse political events rallied in the back of the military, applauding their steadfast movements to protect the country’s sovereignty.
The modern escalation of the decades-old India-Pakistan contention commenced on May 7, with at least 31 civilians killed in an unprovoked Indian border attack. Pakistan shot down 5 of its fighter jets, including 3 Rafale aircraft, as well as dozens of drones in retaliation. Meanwhile, India continues to send drones into Pakistani territory, with the army capturing nearly eighty, together with Israeli-made IAI Heron medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS).
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking inside the assembly, commended the military’s ambitious stance against India’s provocations. “We have efficaciously replied to India’s competitive designs, and our militia are fighting bravely along the Line of Control (LOC), border, and running boundary,” Asif stated.
He mentioned Pakistan’s navy’s tremendous accomplishments, like shooting down 5 Indian fighter jets and stopping a drone that turned into looking to acquire records about Pakistan’s positions. Asif additionally reaffirmed the strategic aid Pakistan has obtained from international allies, which include China, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, who have stood by the United States in this era of heightened anxiety.
“India’s closest allies have distanced themselves, and our adversary did not garner broad international backing,” Asif remarked.
In addition, the protection minister mentioned that Pakistan’s army is well-prepared and organised for any escalation, and he discussed the strategic importance of keeping national morale. “Our forces are valiantly preventing and are 2% ready to confront any venture,” Asif said, urging the public to remain confident in the navy’s efforts.
Focus on security, not political persecution: PTI
During his address to the National Assembly, senior leader Asad Qaiser of the PTI confused the significance of countrywide harmony, declaring, “When Pakistan faces a challenge, the whole nation places aside variations and stands united.” He reaffirmed PTI’s role as an accountable political party and said, “For the sake of unity, we supported the resolutions offered in the house.”
Qaiser also talked about the injustices PTI participants should address, bringing up how the celebration management has been treated badly and is being held in Adiala Jail. “We were subjected to ill-remedy, however, we held our anger when India released an attack,” he stated.
Criticising the authorities, Qaiser condemned the selection of navy courts, which he believed had turned into an unconstitutional institution. He stated, “Civil trials have to now not be performed in navy courts.” He additionally expressed concern over the denial of a meeting between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, and the PTI founder, Imran Khan, despite a court order.
He accused the government of dividing the state in preference to fostering harmony, adding: “The government has fragmented countrywide cohesion.” Qaiser additionally said that the ongoing persecution of PTI employees turned into an illegal assault on democracy. “This is treason,” he remarked.
Qaiser referred to the discharge of PTI’s management, in particular Khan, who is in jail. “If anything occurs to him, those responsible can be held responsible,” he warned.
He concluded by way of stressing that the authorities need to prioritise countrywide protection over political persecution, regardless of the conflict.
JUI-F to observe ‘Defence Day’
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the emir of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), announced that his birthday celebration would take place on Defence Day today in honour of Pakistan’s defence.
He stated: “On May eleven, there may be a Million March in Peshawar, and on May 15, another Million March could be held in Quetta.” It is expected that the rallies can be a full-scale demonstration of human team spirit and solidarity. Fazl, in addition, explained the celebration’s efforts in helping the USA’s defence, pointing out: “The authorities called on the youth to enlist for civil defence; we’ve entrusted Ansar al-Islam with the duty of civilian defence.”
He said that the teenagers of spiritual seminaries have been fighting at the forefront of Pakistan’s defence. “Today, the children from spiritual seminaries are on the first line of defence for Pakistan,” he said.
The JUI-F chief also touched upon the United States of America’s foreign coverage worries. “We have no diplomatic assignment overseas; all we have is communication over the phone,” he stated, expressing dissatisfaction with the present-day state of diplomatic sports.
According to Fazl, Pakistan need to interact with China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan to enhance its international members of family members. “We must have engaged with China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan,” he stated, adding that he was no longer content with the authorities’ handling of diplomatic subjects.
He emphasised the significance of strengthening Pakistan’s defence establishments for the duration of these difficult times. “This is the time to make stronger the use of a’s defence institutions,” he said.
Fazl additionally talked about how Pakistan is currently at the forefront in the face of Indian aggression. “The truth is that Pakistan is at the front lines against Indian aggression,” he remarked.
He condemned India’s actions, noting that Indian forces had launched rockets at mosques, seminaries, and civilian areas. “Our brothers and sisters have been martyred,” he added.
Despite the challenges, he praised the Pakistan Army for its courageous and strategic defence efforts. “The Pakistani army has defended the country with bravery and stunning strategies,” he concluded.
‘Fabricated reason’
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer strongly condemned India’s aggressive movements towards Pakistan. He emphasised India’s self-made justifications for linking these movements to Pakistan, saying, “India has released aggression in opposition to Pakistan.” He stated: “India fabricated its purpose [for attacks] and tried to connect it with Pakistan.”
Tanveer asserted that Pakistan had efficaciously thwarted India’s designs. “Pakistan has beaten India’s ambitions,” he remarked. Reflecting on the situation in Kashmir, he cited, “When India annexed Occupied Kashmir through constitutional amendments, we should have raised our voices at that second.”
Additionally, he said that India has joined Israel. “India has fashioned an alliance with Israel,” Tanveer said, condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Tanveer recommended that Israel had deceived Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Modi has fallen into an entice with Israel’s advice,” he said, including, “Now, Modi has to address Pakistan.”
Tanveer shared, “We are receiving calls from people who want to go to the border,” concerning the emotions of the population. He expressed self-belief in Pakistan’s army skills, mentioning: “Our forces are professional, and I understand the present-day defence gadgets we possess.”
He similarly praised Pakistan’s military improvements, highlighting the superiority of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. He said, “The JF-17 Thunder’s functionality is more than the F-16.” Tanveer concluded with a caution to India, saying: “I want to make India recognise that it is not the gun but the human beings behind the gun that make a distinction.”
He additionally credited the Pakistan Air Force for its achievement in bringing down the Rafale fighter jet, stating, “The credit for shooting down the Rafale goes to our Shaheens (the Pakistan Air Force).”