Defence Minister invites PTI to sign Charter of Democracy

Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has invited the PTI to sign the Charter of Democracy, emphasizing that any necessary improvements can be incorporated into the document.

Speaking in the National Assembly today after the remarks of the Opposition Leader, he recalled that both the PML-N and PPP had agreed to the charter of democracy while learning from the past to strengthen democracy and parliamentary norms. He said the PTI caused the greatest damage to the parliamentary system and democratic norms.

The Defence Minister highlighted the sacrifices of the people of Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Kashmiri people in IIOJK are expressing their love and affection for Pakistan while sacrificing their lives.

Responding to the remarks of JUI (F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the National Assembly, Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sana Ullah Khan has rejected the impression that no effort was made to address the situation in AJK through dialogue and in a democratic manner.

He emphasized that detailed negotiations were held with the action committee on their thirty-eight demands, emphasizing there was progress on each of them.

Rana Sana Ullah mentioned the relief given on electricity tariff and the wheat. He said we have also fulfilled the demand of provision of MRI machines at major hospitals as well as provided funds for the improvement of electricity transmission infrastructure. 

He expressed the government's commitment to work for the development of AJK and welfare of its people.

The Advisor on Political Affairs said the demand of action committee for abolishing twelve refugee seats in AJK legislative assembly was illegal and unconstitutional.

He underscored that only the AJK legislative assembly had the discretion to decide in that regard, not any armed group.

While welcoming the spirit in which the JUI-F chief offered mediation regarding the AJK situation, Rana Sana Ullah said the Action Committee should first withdraw its call for a long march.

Taking the floor, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said elections will be held in AJK on time.

He regretted that the action committee resorted to violence, emphasizing that there are credible evidence that foreign elements are behind this violence. He said these elements do not want the peaceful conduct of elections in the territory as per the constitution.  He said the action committee itself closed the doors of negotiations.

Expressing his views in the House, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also emphasized the need for engaging with the Azad Kashmir government and protestors.

The PPP Chairman called for the conduct of local government elections across the country including Islamabad and Punjab.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PPP is forming coalition government in Gilgit Baltistan, expressing his desire to conduct local government elections there within ninety days.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb congratulated the House on the passage of the budget for the next financial year. He appreciated the contributions of various ministries and divisions involved in the budget-making process.

Muhammad Aurangzeb said, for the first time in the country's history, audit reports relating to the federation are being presented within the same financial year. He emphasized that this reflects the government's commitment to ensuring transparency in public expenditures and strengthening parliamentary oversight.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb laid before the House: Schedule of Authorized Expenditure 2026-27, Schedule of Supplementary Authorized Expenditure 2024-25 and 2025 -2026 and Schedule of Excess Authorized Expenditure 2016-2017 and 2024-2025.

These were introduced under Article 83 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The House passed the Federal Board of Revenue Amendment Bill, 2026.

It was moved by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The House has also approved Supplementary Demands for Grants pertaining to different ministries and divisions for the years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.

These were moved by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The house has now been prorogued.