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Pakistan - January 20, 2026

Asif calls for empowered local government system

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for meaningful legislation to introduce a uniform curriculum and an empowered local government system across the country.

He made these remarks while speaking in the National Assembly today during discussion on the Karachi fire incident.

The Defence Minister said the Gul Plaza fire highlights the urgent need for an effective local government system in all provinces to address public issues at the grassroots level.

Participating in the discussion, Farooq Sattar underscored Karachi’s vital role in the national economy and stressed that the city’s problems must be addressed on priority basis. He emphasized the need to ensure the safety of commercial centers in the provincial capital.

Responding to the points raised by Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary said the National Action Plan against terrorism is being implemented with the support and consultations of provincial governments. He said dozens of intelligence based operations are being carried out on daily basis. Referring to the sacrifices of security forces in the war on terrorism, he categorically stated that there would be no hiatus in the action against terrorists.

The Minister of State for Interior told the house that 5867 billion rupees were given to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under NFC from July 2010 to November 2025. He said one hundred and seventeen billion rupees were provided to the province for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Expressing her views, Shehla Raza said there should be no politics on Karachi fire incident. She emphasized that the local government system is functional in Sindh.

Asad Qaiser expressed grief and sorrow over loss of precious lives in Gul Plaza fire incident.

Others who spoke on the occasion included: Aminul Haque, Qadir Patel, Shehryar Khan Afridi, Asad Alam Niazi, Syed Waseem Hussain, Hameed Hussain and Ali Muhammad Khan.

Meanwhile, two bills were laid before the House today. These included The Constitution Amendment Bill, 2026 (Article-24A) and The Institute of West Punjab, Sargodha Bill, 2026.

The House will now meet tomorrow at eleven in the morning.