Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the current government reduced the burden of independent power producer (IPP) agreements by Rs3.5 trillion through negotiations, as he responded to opposition criticism over capacity payments in the National Assembly.
Addressing the House, Khawaja Asif said IPP agreements were signed over the last 25 to 30 years and claimed that all parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had been involved in the process.
He said the opposition was now raising the issue of capacity payments, but IPP agreements had also been signed during periods when opposition parties were in power. He questioned whether those criticizing the agreements were not themselves part of what he called the same “sin”.
“If the opposition is not also involved in this sin, then tell us,” the defence minister said.
Govt reduced burden by Rs3.5tr
The defence minister said the incumbent government had renegotiated agreements and reduced the financial burden by Rs3.5 trillion.
“We reduced the burden of Rs3,500 billion by making agreements after negotiations,” Khawaja Asif told the House.
He said the matter should be seen in the context of decisions taken over several decades rather than blamed on one government alone.
Asif also proposed that the National Assembly should unanimously pay tribute to the prime minister and the field marshal for playing a role in raising Pakistan’s honour and prestige across the world.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had played a historic role in the Pak-Iran peace process.
He said that in the country’s 78-year history, no one had previously been able to play such a mediator role regarding a peace agreement involving Pakistan and Iran. According to him, Pakistan’s role had received a positive global response, unlike in the past.
Iranian president’s visit called historic
Khawaja Asif said the love and unity between Pakistan and Iran were increasing day by day. He described Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan as part of this growing closeness between the two brotherly countries.
He said the Iranian president was expressing solidarity with Pakistan through the visit. “Pakistan stopped the war, and the Iranian president’s visit is historic,” Khawaja Asif said.
He added that even a visit of a few hours by the Iranian president was very important and reflected that the two countries had moved closer.
Pakistan seen as powerful country
The defence minister said a new path had emerged in the region and Pakistan had played a major historical role in paving the way for it. He said the entire nation and the Muslim world were grateful to the prime minister for Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements.
According to Khawaja Asif, Pakistan is now being viewed as a powerful country on the international stage.
Warning to India over any aggression
Khawaja Asif said India would never be happy with Pakistan’s role in mediating between the United States and Iran. He claimed Pakistan’s rising diplomatic profile was difficult for India to accept.
“Our neighbour India is not digesting this,” he said.
The defence minister warned that India may take steps to destabilize Pakistan or try to isolate it from the world. He said India’s “digestion has been bad since last year” and warned that if India commits any aggression, Pakistan’s response will be stronger than before.
