'How can they delete their past': Khawaja Asif tells opposition to correct its ways

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called on the opposition to reflect on its own past conduct before criticizing the government, urging them to sign a Charter of Democracy. His remarks followed sharp criticism of the government by the opposition in the National Assembly.

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Whenever I issue instructions or make any demand, I refer to this maxim: If you seek equity, you should come up with clean hands.

Speaking on the assembly floor, Asif invoked the maxim, "If you seek equity, you should come up with clean hands." He questioned the opposition's past actions during their time in power, stating, "What did not happen in this House during their time in power?" The minister urged the opposition to correct its past and engage in dialogue, suggesting that both ruling and opposition parties should acknowledge their historical mistakes.

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When these people demand equity, they also check whether their hands are clean.

Asif recalled the political animosity between the PPP and PML-N in the 1990s, noting that both parties eventually realized the need for a code of conduct to maintain respect. He contrasted the current government's approach with that of the former PTI administration, highlighting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent interaction with the opposition as something unimaginable under Imran Khan. Asif emphasized that while his party and its allies have made mistakes, they have strived to learn from them and implement reforms, including constitutional amendments.

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What did not happen in this House during their time in power?