LAHORE: A senior security official on Tuesday strongly criticised Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, for what he termed “unfortunate and false” remarks about the Pakistan Army, saying such statements were deeply regrettable and harmful to national cohesion.
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The response came a day after Achakzai, during a session of the National Assembly, described the Pakistan Army as a “force of four districts,” prompting sharp reactions from government and defence officials.
قائد خزب اختلاف محمود خان اچکزئی کا قومی اسمبلی اجلاس میں اظہار خیال@MKAchakzaiPKMAP #NASession pic.twitter.com/n33PMQMcez
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 11, 2026
Speaking to journalists in Lahore, the senior security official said dialogue was the right of all political parties, but stressed that the armed forces had no role in politics. He added that all legal and judicial matters must be resolved strictly by courts in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai said in the assembly that Pakistan’s army is the army of four districts.
In response, Khawaja Asif delivered a fiery speech in the assembly today, stating that our army is a national army and that Mahmood Khan Achakzai should apologize, even though Khawaja… pic.twitter.com/l0UW9i9ct6
— برهان الدین | Burhan uddin (@burhan_uddin_0) February 11, 2026
Referring to the security situation, the official said recent meetings aimed at restoring peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had produced encouraging signs. He noted that visits to educational institutions reflected strong support among the youth for the Pakistan Army, adding that no narrative could weaken the bond between the people and the armed forces.
He emphasised that the fight against terrorism was not the sole responsibility of the army, police or Frontier Corps, but a collective national duty. The official also alleged that India was behind sponsored terrorism in Pakistan and said “Fitna-ul-Hindustan” was an enemy of the Baloch people and an obstacle to Balochistan’s development.
Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif condemned Achakzai’s statement in the National Assembly, calling it irresponsible and an attempt to malign a national institution. While acknowledging Achakzai’s right to hold personal views, Asif said attacks on the armed forces were unacceptable.
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس کے دوران وفاقی وزیر برائے دفاع خواجہ محمد آصف کا اظہار خیال @KhawajaMAsif#NASession pic.twitter.com/hNc6bTtemi
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 11, 2026
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Citing official figures, the minister said 3,141 security personnel had embraced martyrdom between 2021 and February 2026, underscoring the sacrifices made in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
In response, Achakzai stood by his remarks, arguing that his community had made historic sacrifices for democracy and deserved fair representation and a constitutional role in governance, while maintaining respect for an army that operated within constitutional limits.