WEB DESK: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence on Thursday unanimously condemned the loss of lives in Pahalgam and rejected what it termed “unfounded allegations” levelled by the Indian government against Pakistan.
The meeting was chaired by MNA Fateh Ullah Khan and the committee warned that Pakistan would respond “appropriately” to any unwarranted actions, expressing deep concern over India’s recent measures, including the unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, the closure of the Attari border, and the withdrawal of diplomats.
Standoff with India could lead to ‘war’, warns Pakistan
“The Indian government’s actions risk escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours,” the committee stated, while reiterating that Pakistan has itself been a victim of terrorism and remains committed to peace.
During the meeting, the committee also reviewed The Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with officials from the Ministry of Defence explaining that the proposed amendments focus on welfare initiatives, cybercrime provisions, and procedural updates to align the Navy Act with recently amended laws governing the Pakistan Army and Air Force. After deliberations, the panel unanimously recommended the bill for passage in the National Assembly.
The committee also received a briefing from the Surveyor General of Pakistan (SGP) and provincial mines and minerals secretaries on private-sector involvement in mineral resource mapping. It urged provinces to prioritise SGP services over private entities to safeguard sensitive data.
The panel further raised concerns over unequal funding between Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs) under the Ministry of Defence and those under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). It decided to summon finance and planning secretaries in the next meeting to address the issue.