Security officials call NA opposition leader's remarks on armed forces 'regrettable'

No narrative can weaken the bond between the army and the people; our only narrative is Pakistan, say security sources Mahmood Khan Achakzai delivers his first speech in the National Assembly as Leader of the Opposition on January 19, 2026. SCREENGRAB Security officials on Wednesday categorically rejected military role in politics and termed recent statement by the opposition leader in National Assembly (NA) against the armed forces as “regrettable and based on falsehoods.” "The opposition leader's recent statement against the Pakistan Army is highly regrettable. No narrative can weaken the bond between the army and the people. Our only narrative is Pakistan,” said a statement issued by security sources. "The statement comes in response to remarks by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who purportedly said that the army belongs to only four districts. Defending the statement, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, 'While Mahmood Achakzai may hold his views, he should not attack the military. The Pakistan Army is not the army of any province or district. Its character is national.'" During a briefing in Lahore with media representatives, security officials stressed that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism requires national unity and collective resolve beyond the security forces alone. However, they stated that dialogue among political parties is their democratic right, but the military has no role in politics. Security sources added that the campaign against terrorism is not limited to the armed forces, police, or Frontier Corps, but is a struggle that involves the entire nation. They emphasised that lasting success depends on full implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), which they described as the cornerstone of counterterrorism efforts across the country. Read More: Army is national force, not of any district, Asif tells Achakzai The sources maintained that India is behind what they termed “sponsored terrorism” inside Pakistan, claiming that external support continues to fuel militant activities. They further stated that the attacker involved in the recent Tralai Imambargah incident had received training in Afghanistan. Security officials called for decisive action against both internal and external elements involved in terrorism, urging Pakistanis to rise above political, ethnic, linguistic, or sectarian divisions. “Regardless of political or religious affiliation, the nation must stand united against terrorism,” the sources said, adding that unity is essential to defeat all forms of extremism. Referring to Balochistan, the officials claimed that militant groups operating under the guise of deprivation narratives are, in fact, enemies of the Baloch people and the province’s development. They said the public in Balochistan has increasingly recognised this reality. The briefing also highlighted progress against smuggling networks, with sources noting that the illegal smuggling of 15 to 20 million litres of Iranian petrol and diesel annually—previously used to finance militant activities—has now been curtailed. Also Read: Daesh-linked Afghan mastermind of Islamabad imambargah attack in custody Good governance was described as a critical factor in eliminating terrorism at its roots. The security officials added that recent meetings in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) aimed at addressing security challenges were encouraging, reiterating that the NAP remains key to controlling terrorism in the province as well. Drawing parallels with past national unity, the security officials said Pakistan would defeat terrorists just as it had united during “Marka-e-Haq” to overcome external threats. They also cited outreach visits to educational institutions as evidence that the public, particularly the youth, stands firmly with the Pakistan Army. The security officials concluded by stating that all legal and court-related matters must be decided strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law by the judiciary. Also Read: UNSC report endorses Pakistan's claims of increased TTP attacks from Afghan soil Pakistan is currently facing a wave of terrorism, with a suicide blast at an Imambargah in Islamabad last week claiming the lives of 36 people. Additionally, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Balochistan resulted in the deaths of 36 civilians, including women and children. Moreover, 22 personnel from the security forces and law enforcement agencies were also killed. Security forces successfully concluded "Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1" in Balochistan, carrying out a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations against Indian-sponsored terrorist elements. As a result of these well-coordinated engagements and subsequent clearance operations, 216 terrorists were killed, significantly degrading the leadership, command-and-control structures, and operational capabilities of terrorist networks. Pakistan’s allegations against Afghanistan, India of...

Security officials call NA opposition leader's remarks on armed forces 'regrettable'

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Security officials call NA opposition leader's remarks on armed forces 'regrettable'

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