Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that he holds great respect for opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, but remarked that Achakzai appears “rather unusual” sitting among members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, the Defence Minister called on opposition parties to move beyond past political disputes and sign a new Charter of Democracy, emphasizing the need for consensus and respect for democratic institutions.
“I have great respect for Mahmood Khan Achakzai, but he looks somewhat strange sitting among PTI members,” Khawaja Asif said while addressing lawmakers.
Call for a New Charter of Democracy
The minister urged political parties to learn from past experiences and work together to strengthen democratic norms in the country.
He acknowledged that mistakes may have been made by various political actors in the past but argued that both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had learned lessons from previous political confrontations.
“Perhaps mistakes were made by us as well in the past,” he said. “However, the PPP and PML-N learned from those experiences and signed the Charter of Democracy.”
Khawaja Asif referred to the political environment of the 1990s, noting that the period was marked by intense rivalry and instability. He said the Charter of Democracy helped create a framework for greater political understanding and cooperation between major parties.
Importance of Parliamentary Respect
The Defence Minister stressed that maintaining the dignity and sanctity of Parliament is the responsibility of every elected representative.
“The respect and prestige of this House must be protected,” he said. “Every member of Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that democratic institutions remain strong and respected.”
He argued that constructive political engagement is essential for democratic stability and urged lawmakers to focus on strengthening parliamentary traditions rather than deepening political divisions.
Criticism of PTI Founder
During his speech, Khawaja Asif also criticized the founder of PTI, claiming that no political figure had caused as much damage to constitutional and democratic traditions as he had.
“The Constitution and democratic norms have been harmed more by the PTI founder than by anyone else,” the Defence Minister said.
He maintained that respect for democratic processes, parliamentary institutions, and constitutional principles should remain above political interests.
Renewed Debate on Political Reconciliation
Khawaja Asif’s remarks come amid continuing tensions between the government and opposition parties over issues related to elections, governance, and parliamentary conduct.
His suggestion of a renewed Charter of Democracy reflects ongoing calls from some political leaders for greater cooperation among parties in order to reduce polarization and strengthen democratic institutions.
The comments are likely to generate reactions from opposition leaders, particularly PTI, which has frequently accused the ruling coalition of undermining democratic principles and electoral transparency.
As political debates continue inside and outside Parliament, discussions regarding democratic reforms, political reconciliation, and the future of inter-party cooperation remain central to Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.
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