NA session lauds Iran-US ceasefire as ‘historic achievement’, govt and opposition urge unity

The National Assembly session began on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, with lawmakers across the aisle terming the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran a historic moment and calling for national unity.

Opening the session, the speaker described the development as a “historic honour” and a proud moment for the entire nation, stating that Pakistan’s sincere diplomatic efforts had yielded results. He said the country was being acknowledged globally with respect and paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their role. He also called for unity within the Muslim world for the welfare of oppressed communities.

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar informed the House that the prime minister had briefed the federal cabinet in a special meeting, describing the situation as “extremely worrying” until late the previous evening. He said the diplomatic progress was achieved under the broader political leadership and appreciated the opposition’s constructive tone. He added that the prime minister would brief the National Assembly in detail on the situation in the next sitting.

The law minister urged the opposition to postpone planned protests and instead send a message of unity, stressing that such moments required a collective national stance. He held consultations on the floor of the House with Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and PTI leadership, emphasising the importance of presenting a unified front. He said Pakistan had helped bring parties back from the brink of war and urged all political forces to pray for the success of ongoing talks expected in Islamabad.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also termed the development a historic day, calling for discussions on the matter before political differences. He said Pakistan’s global stature was rising in an unprecedented manner in its 78-year history and that the country was being widely praised. Referring to past conflicts, he said Pakistan had demonstrated unity in confronting its adversaries and reiterated the need to address internal security challenges, including militancy. He acknowledged economic difficulties, including inflation, but congratulated both the civilian and military leadership for their success in the diplomatic arena.

PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan highlighted the importance of national unity, recalling that Pakistan had responded collectively to external threats in the past. He criticised regional adversaries and said Pakistan’s role had been appreciated by Iran. He urged political stakeholders to rise above differences in the national interest.

Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah was also present during the proceedings alongside JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, as consultations continued between government and opposition members.

Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai expressed unconditional support for the government on the issue, stating that only a “mad person” would not welcome such a development. He acknowledged political differences but emphasised that all stakeholders stood with Pakistan. He said the opposition would support the government’s efforts and called for agreement on democratic principles. He also noted that both the United States and Iran had shown trust in Pakistan’s role.

Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf described the moment as highly significant with far-reaching consequences, noting that the world had been gripped by a war-like atmosphere affecting daily life. He congratulated the national leadership and said the situation had been extremely complex, warning that failure to achieve such diplomatic success could have resulted in long-term global consequences.

The session reflected rare political consensus on Pakistan’s diplomatic role in easing tensions between the United States and Iran, even as underlying political differences persisted.