The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence, in a meeting chaired by MNA Fatehullah Khan, unanimously condemned the tragic loss of lives in the recent attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The session was attended by parliamentarians Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, Ghulam Muhammad, Zeb Jaffar (Parliamentary Secretary on Defence), and senior officials including Lt. Gen (R) Muhammad Ali, Secretary (Defence), Maj Gen Amir Ishfaq Kiani, Additional Secretary (Army), along with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Law & Justice, and provincial governments.
The committee strongly rejected the baseless accusations made by the Indian government against Pakistan. It voiced serious concerns over provocative actions by India such as the unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and withdrawal of diplomatic staff—warning that such moves could heighten tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s status as a victim of terrorism, the committee praised the consistent and responsible stance of the government and armed forces in maintaining regional peace. However, it cautioned that any unwarranted aggression from India would be met with an appropriate response.
Prayers were also offered for the departed mother and sister-in-law of Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir.
In legislative matters, the committee reviewed “The Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2024.” Officials from the Ministry of Defence briefed the members on the bill’s key provisions, which include updates related to welfare, electronic crimes, and procedural matters. These amendments aim to bring the Navy Act in line with recent changes to laws governing the Pakistan Army and Air Force, ensuring uniformity across the military branches.
After a detailed discussion, the committee unanimously recommended the Bill’s approval by the National Assembly.
Additionally, the committee was briefed by the Surveyor General of Pakistan and the Secretaries of Mines and Minerals from all four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan on involving the private sector in mineral resource surveying and mapping. Emphasizing national security, the committee advised provincial governments to prioritize SOP services over private contractors to protect sensitive information.
Lastly, addressing the funding gap between the Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs) under the Ministry of Defence and those under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the committee resolved to summon the Secretaries of the Finance Division and the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives at its next meeting for further clarification.
