Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has prayed the Supreme Court of Pakistan to constitute a full bench to hear the suo-moto notice regarding announcement of election date for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday, he said it is a very important issue, which needs to find a solution to it. He said there are several important questions before the judiciary including the dissolution of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies, and the answers should come.

The Defence Minister said we have always stood for the independence of the judiciary. He said we want to run the country in accordance with the law and constitution. Khawaja Asif regretted that the previous government backtracked from its agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He said we have inherited an economic crisis and the mess of past four years cannot be cleared in a matter of eight or nine months. He said we are fully cognizant of the problems faced by the common man, but it will take time to put the economy back on track.

The Defence Minister also voiced concern over acts of terrorism in the country. He described his recent talks with Afghan authorities in Kabul as positive. The National Assembly also passed the Inter Boards Coordination Commission Bill, 2023. It was moved by Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain. Two bills were also laid before the House. These include: “The Zakat and Ushra (Amendment) Bill, 2023” and “The Gas Theft Control and Recovery Amendment, Bill, 2023”. The House has now been adjourned to meet again on Monday at 05:00 p.m.